High Altitude Warm Season Grass Biomass Production under a Line-Source Irrigation System.

This study determined the potential of several warm-season grass species for biomass production in irrigated, high-elevation environments. The biomass production of eight warm-season grass species was compared against that of six cool-season grass species. Each warm-season species was represented by multiple cultivars. The study was carried out under a line-source irrigation system at a high-elevation site near Millville, UT. Biomass production data were collected from three and two harvests during the summers of 2006 and 2007, respectively. Results showed higher levels of production for some of the warm-season grass species compared to the cool-season species. Of particular note were switchgrass, sideoats grama, and big bluestem. All three species exhibited higher biomass production during the course of this study than did the cool-season species. Thus, this study showed these species to potentially level out the seasonal distribution of forage production in irrigated, high-elevation environments. It also showed the potential of these species for bioenergy production in these areas.