Many growers in North Carolina are considering the inclusion of energy crops
on their farms, with petroleum fuel prices climbing and fossil fuel resources
dwindling. Canola has gained attention as a biodiesel feedstock because it
typically yields twice as much oil per acre as soybean, and canola biodiesel
has a lower cloud point than soybean biodiesel. Switchgrass has also shown potential
as an ethanol feedstock, with low fertilizer inputs and high dry matter
outputs. The goal of our project is to demonstrate that canola (Brassica
napus) and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) can both be grown and
yield profits for farmers in North Carolina. We are involved in the National
Winter Canola Variety trials, looking at 34 non-GMO varieties at the Clayton
research station, with plans to add additional locations in Goldsboro and the
Piedmont area in the fall of 2006. Included in the trial are varieties adapted
to Virginia and Georgia climatic conditions. Because switchgrass is a slow
establisher and is not approved for herbicide application, there are
significant weed management issues during germination. To address weed
competition, we are studying the effects of row spacing and till vs. no-till on
stand establishment on our plots in Clayton and Goldsboro research stations.
Row spacing may reduce weed competition with dense stands, and no-till methods
provide residue cover that may protect switchgrass seedlings and inhibits weed
growth. We will also be testing a variety of herbicides on the effect of stand
establishments, in hopes that effective herbicides would eventually be
permitted for switchgrass grown as an ethanol feedstock.