Switchgrass

Panicum virgatum

Native
Herbaceous Perennial

Used for biomass and soil stabilization on strip mine spoils and dikes; provides food and cover for wildlife, and pasture hay for cattle and sheep.

Panicum virgatum, Switchgrass, is the most productive and commonly talked about native warm season grass being considered as a feedstock for alternative fuels. There are a number of studies claiming significant energy returns using Switchgrass as a solid fuel in the form of switchgrass pellets or as a feedstock for cellulosic ethanol. Having evolved for centuries everywhere in North America east of the Rocky Mountains, its C4 sequestering pathway makes Switchgrass extremely efficient with its use of water and nutrients. Additionally, Switchgrass tolerates a wide range of growing conditions, allowing the potential to turn marginal, under-utilized farmland into productive, agricultural ground.

Habitat

Sandy shores, open woods, prairies, and brackish water; pH 4.5-7.5.

Characteristics

A warm season bunch grass that spreads by short rhizomes; grows from 4’-6’ tall; 12” minimum root depth; full sun; moderate drought tolerance; moderate salt and acid tolerance; blooms from July to September in Regions 1 and 3, and June to October in Region 2.

Seeding Rate

8 PLS lb per acre alone; 10%-20% of a mix; approx. 259,000 seeds per lb

Varieties - State of Origin

'Blackwell’-OK (performs well in low-fertility, wet soils)
‘Shelter’-WV (excellent wildlife cover through winter)
‘Cave-In-Rock’-IL (quality forage and good biomass producer);
‘Shawnee’-IL (improved forage quality and yield)
‘Sunburst’-Midwestern U.S.
‘Carthage’-NC (good biomass producer)
‘Kanlow’ (good biomass producer)
‘Alamo’ (biomass variety for southern states)

Ecotype

‘Southlow’-MI (native reclamation uses)