Switchgrass: Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) was established in 2007 to serve as a low diversity comparison to our native prairie plantings and to provide data on the production potential and environmental impacts of dedicated cellulosic bioenergy systems. The plots are seeded to a northern-upland ecotype (“Forestberg”) and receive a minimal amount of N fertilizer each season (56 kg N ha^-1). These plots are unique in that they are subdivided into three different management categories: 1) biofuels – harvested once, post frost, 2) grazing – grazed once per season and burned every other spring to minimize non-native cool season grasses, and 3) control – burned every other spring to minimize non-native cool season grasses but never harvested or grazed.

Planted August 2007

‘Forestberg’ Switchgrass: Panicum virgatum L.