BIOPRODUCTS AND BIOENERGY FROM WARM-SEASON PERENNIAL GRASS FEEDSTOCK FOR LOW-INPUT CONDITIONS WITH POSITIVE WATER AND CARBON FOOTPRINT

The overarching goal of this proposed project is to develop a feedstock-based biomass production system for the Southeast region of the U.S. with improved carbon and water footprint for the generation of bio-based products. The specific objectives of this proposed project are to: Develop remote sensing-based phenotyping techniques to assess drought tolerance rapidly and non-destructively in energy cane, switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), and perennial sorghum (Sorghum bicolor x S. propinquum hybrid)Screen elite energy cane genotypes for water use efficiency and nutrient use using tools developed in Objective 1 and further assess the most water use efficient entries as a biomass system that integrates legume intercropping.Measure environmental impacts of the monoculture feedstock biomass system compared to the legume integrated biomass system using a life cycle analysis of carbon and water footprint.Train next-generation bio-economy workforce (students and farmers) through an integrated education curriculum.