Types of Switchgrass

• There are two major Categories for Switchgrass:– Upland Cultivars

• Upland types usually grow 5 to 6 feet tall and are adapted to well drained soils.

– Lowland Cultivars• Lowland Cultivars are more adaptive to warmer climates such as the

southern USA and are much higher yielding than uplands.• Lowland types grow up to 12 feet tall and which are typically found on

heavy soils in bottomland sites.

• In Kentucky, Lowland types are what is commonly and potentially being grown.

Alamo Switchgrass

• Alamo is one potential type of lowland switchgrass being grown for biofuels production in Kentucky– Alamo has a high dry matter (DM) yield capability.– It displays good resistance to stem rust disease.– Alamo switchgrass performance is good on all kinds of soils from clays

to fine sands.– Minimum rainfall requirements is 20 inches.– Has good cold-weather tolerance– Has a fair drought tolerance– Alamo grows to a height of 4 – 10 feet.– Spread is 24 – 60 inches.

Alamo Continued• Planting

– Plant seeds in the early spring– For soil, a medium range of P and K are desirable with a pH of 5.5 – 6.5– Can use no-till, conventional, or broadcast methods of seeding.– Plant the seed no more than 1/4 inch deep.– Broadleaf weeds should be eradicated early by using 2-4-D, Banvel, or

similar herbicide.– Alamo should be seeded at a rate of 2 lbs. PLS/acre.– Alamo Switchgrass pure seed costs $13.25 for one pound.– 280,000 per lb.

Alamo Continued

• Soils– Best soils are moderately deep to deep, somewhat dry to poorly

drained, sandy to clay loam soils unless severe weed competition exists during establishment. In the East, it performs well on shallow and droughty soil. Switchgrass does poorly on heavy soils.

Kanlow Switchgrass

• Kanlow is another potential type of lowland switchgrass being grown for biofuels production in Kentucky.– Height ranges from 3 to 8 feet with the leaves ranging from 1/4 to 1/2

inch wide and may reach a length of 30 inches. – It is a bunch grass, but has short rhizomes. The seeds are small, hard,

smooth, and shiny. – Have much higher dry matter (DM) yield capability.– It displays good resistance to stem rust disease.– Growth is good on all kinds of soils from clays to fine sands. – Spread is 24 – 60 inches.– Minimum rainfall requirements is 20 inches.

Kanlow Continued

• Planting– 'Kanlow' switchgrass shall be planted December 1 to May 31. – For soil, a medium range of P and K are desirable with a pH of 5.5 –

6.5.– No-till planting with a no-till drill in fields not bedded from past row

crops is the ideal way to plant. – UT recommends 6 pounds of PLS per acre.– Seed shall be uniformly spread or in rows not to exceed 10 inches

apart and about 1/2 inch deep.– Soil shall be firmly packed over the seed following the seeding

operation.

Kanlow Continued

• Soil type– Switchgrass is broadly adapted and will perform

well in a wide range of soil types, although it may prefer soils of finer texture. Loam and sandy soils allow for roots and crown to spread more easily than so denser clay soils. Whatever the soil type, successful establishment requires planting when the soil temperature is warm and moisture is available. Sandy soils dry out more quickly, potentially limiting establishment success and biomass yields.

Harvesting

• Switchgrass can be harvested as a one- or two-cut system. When cut twice, the first cutting would occur when switchgrass is in late boot to very early seedhead emergence, which is usually in late June or early July. The second cutting would be at the end of the season and can occur when the plant goes into dormancy (usually after the first killing frost). Switchgrass can be harvested with conventional hay equipment. Many farmers have large round balers and prefer to use their existing equipment. Round bales are acceptable. However, large rectangular bales (3 x 4 x 8 feet and 4 x 4 x 8 feet) are easier to handle, store and transport.