Evaluation of selected warm-season grasses for biomass production in areas with a short growing season

Field studies were conducted in 1994 and 1995 to determine the phenology, leaf and tiller characteristics and yield of 22 warm-season grasses in south western Quebec, Canada. Cordgrass (Spartina pectinata L.), two cultivars of Indiangrass [Sorghastrum nutans L. (Nash)], two cultivars of big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii Vitman), 12 cultivars of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) and five cultivars of prairie sandreed [Calamovilfa longifolia (Hook) Scribn., were included in the study. In terms of initial spring growth, CWNC (cordgrass) and New Jersey 50 (switchgrass) were the earliest and latest, respectively. Initial spring regrowth from sandreeds was predominantly from continued growth of biennial tillers, from rhizomes in cordgrass and from buds on stem bases for the other species. The earliest maturing entries were ND3743, Dakota, Ottawa3 (switchgrasses) and Bison (big bluestem). New Jersey 50 and CWNC were the latest maturing. CWNC had high tiller numbers throughout the season while the rest of the entries showed increases in tiller numbers in summer. There were significant differences among entries in height development across the season. Biomass yields ranged from 65 to 861 g per plant. Lignocellulose concentration was high in all entries with neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) ranging from 770–860 g kg−1 and 460–540 g kg−1, respectively. Nitrogen and ash concentrations ranged from 4–10 and 40–70 g kg−1, respectively. The results indicate potential for cordgrass (CWNC) and several switchgrasses for biomass production in the short season areas of Quebec.