Composition of Perennial Grasses for Biofuel Production in Central and Western North Dakota.

North Dakota (ND) is ranked first in potential for producing perennial grasses and other dedicated biofuel crops in the U.S. However, some questions still remain for developing management practices for biofuel crops, such as appropriate species in certain areas, biomass yield potential and quality, and harvesting methods. To answer these questions, a study was initiated in 2006 to evaluate 10 cool and warm season grasses and mixtures across central and western ND. Chemical composition of lingocellulosic biomass feedstocks is an important factor affecting efficiency of biofuel production during conversion process. The objective of this presentation is to determine chemical composition of different perennial grasses. The samples for chemical analysis were obtained after biomass yield determination in September 2007. Concentrations of neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and acid detergent lignin (ADL) were determined by an ANKOM Fiber Analyzer. Cellulose and hemicellulose contents were determined by the differences between ADF and ADL (ADF-ADL), and between NDF and ADF (NDF-ADF), respectively.The initial results showed that the species effect on the chemical composition is generally significant. In addition, there are significant differences in DNF, ADF, ADL, cellulose, and hemicellulose among different locations, indicating a significant environmental effect on lignocellulosic composition in perennial grasses.