Switchgrass is a crop grown for biomass as an alternative energy fuel source. Compared with corn, which is traditionally used for ethanol production, switchgrass can be much more efficient as a fuelsource. Switchgrass requires much less fertilizer, less irrigation, and sequesters carbon in the soil. This summer I have been working in Dr. Richard Bowden’s Environmental Science lab, researching switchgrass. We are partnering with Ernst Conservation Seeds, a local business in Meadville which supplies seeds and plants for conservation needs. My research project is examining nitrogen retranslocation in switchgrass.
Retranslocation is the movement of nitrogen between the roots and the shoots in switchgrass. Nitrogen is an important plant nutrient because it helps increase switchgrass yield. Farmers fertilize with chemical nitrogen, but to be as sustainable as possible it is important to try to reduce chemical inputs while still harvesting enough yield. Through retranslocation plants naturally recycle their nitrogen, which means they could potentially need less fertilizer. However, swithgrass is usually harvested in the fall, before it has had a chance to retranslocate its nitrogen back to the roots so the nitrogen is removed along with the biomass. However, if farmers wait until after a killing frost, some of the biomass is wasted and yield is decreased. The goal of my study is to examine the retranslocation of nitrogen over time and to estimate how much could be saved in fertilizer if the natural retranslocation process could run to completion.
My work involves digging switchgrass samples from my two study fields, hosing soil of the roots, sorting the switchgrass into its different components, drying the biomass, weighing it, and finally grinding it to be analyzed for nitrogen concentration. I enjoy the combination of outdoor fieldwork and working with my hands in the lab.
I hope my research will benefit Ernst Conservation Seeds, help farmers with switchgrass management, and increase the sustainability of switchgrass. I am excited to be doing research on an alternative energy source.
Retranslocation is the movement of nitrogen between the roots and the shoots in switchgrass. Nitrogen is an important plant nutrient because it helps increase switchgrass yield. Farmers fertilize with chemical nitrogen, but to be as sustainable as possible it is important to try to reduce chemical inputs while still harvesting enough yield. Through retranslocation plants naturally recycle their nitrogen, which means they could potentially need less fertilizer. However, swithgrass is usually harvested in the fall, before it has had a chance to retranslocate its nitrogen back to the roots so the nitrogen is removed along with the biomass. However, if farmers wait until after a killing frost, some of the biomass is wasted and yield is decreased. The goal of my study is to examine the retranslocation of nitrogen over time and to estimate how much could be saved in fertilizer if the natural retranslocation process could run to completion.My work involves digging switchgrass samples from my two study fields, hosing soil of the roots, sorting the switchgrass into its different components, drying the biomass, weighing it, and finally grinding it to be analyzed for nitrogen concentration. I enjoy the combination of outdoor fieldwork and working with my hands in the lab.
I hope my research will benefit Ernst Conservation Seeds, help farmers with switchgrass management, and increase the sustainability of switchgrass. I am excited to be doing research on an alternative energy source.
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