New switchgrass and sorghum seed varieties from Blade Energy Crops have been selected for use in the production of advanced biofuels and biopower.
For 2010 plantings, Blade has expanded its switchgrass lineup, which now includes three improved varieties, including EG 1101, EG 1102 and EG 2101. EG 1101 is an improved Alamo type and EG 1102 is an improved Kanlow type. Both have been bred for high biomass yields and better vigor/establishment. They have shown superior conversion characteristics for biochemical and thermochemical processes. EG 2101 is an improved Cave-in-Rock type. It is more winter hardy than EG 1101 and EG 1102.
Blade also is booking seed for new high-biomass types of sorghum, ES 5200 and ES 5201. Both hybrids feature Skyscraper, a trait that provides a generation's worth of biomass yield improvement in a single step. EG 5200 and EG 5201 are suited to single-cut harvest systems. As an annual, sorghum provides a flexible, fast-growing source of biomass and fits well into established crop rotations.
Blade customers may be eligible for payments from the federal Biomass Crop Assistance Program. Customers interested in the BCAP should check with the USDA for program rules.