The first foundation crop of superstar
‘Liberty’ switchgrass seed will be harvested this fall. Liberty, bred specifically as a perennial, high-yielding bioenergy
grass, adaptable to the upper Midwestern climate, is producing 25-40%
higher biomass yields than traditional varieties in CenUSA field trials. Certified
seed producers (contracted growers who agree to follow strict production rules)
in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 4 or 5, who agree to market it under the name,
‘Liberty’ may obtain licenses to grow and sell the seed.
“We’re really excited about the commercial prospects for
Liberty switchgrass in the U.S.”, said Anne Kinzel, CenUSA Bioenergy COO. “Its
ability to produce greater yields than the best yielding current switchgrass varieties
will be a very big deal.”
Ken Vogel, the
world’s leading switchgrass expert and former CenUSA Bioenergy Germplasm to
Harvest Research Group leader and research geneticist at USDA-ARS in Lincoln,
Nebraska spearheaded Liberty’s development. Vogel, recently retired, is now
serving as adjunct Plant
Geneticist at the University of Nebraska. CenUSA project co-directors Mike Casler
(USDA-ARS, Madison), Rob Mitchell (USDA-ARS, Lincoln) and their colleague Gautam
Sarath (USDA-ARS in Lincoln) have also each made significant contributions to
Liberty, working for more than 10 years on its development.
“With today’s corn prices coming down, growers may be
interested in growing switchgrass seed,” said Ken Vogel. “Because of its high
yield, growers planting ‘Liberty’ can make money with it, said Ken Vogel.
There are two ecotypes of switchgrass in the U.S., lowland
varieties, typically found in more southerly, low wetland and river bottom-land
and upland varieties, found in the drier, northern latitude grasslands that
commonly must withstand drought. The lowland varieties are typically higher
yielding, but can’t withstand the tough northern winters and die out when grown
in more northern latitudes. The switchgrass cultivars released to date for the
Midwest have all been upland types.
Vogel began breeding native grasses specifically for
bioenergy in 1990. He created ‘Liberty’ by breeding ‘Summer’, an upland variety
with ‘Kanlow’, a lowland type, a real genetic tour de force because the two
flower about 30 days apart. Starting with crosses in the greenhouse, Vogel eventually
produced ‘Liberty’, a hybrid that flowers about two weeks sooner than its
lowland cousins. This two week window, gives Liberty the time to transfer sugars
from its leaves to its roots, enabling it to survive long Midwest winters.
“Last year we saw tremendous winterkill with lowland cultivars
but ‘Liberty’ had no damage, said Ken Vogel. “It may not produce as high as some
other lowland types, but it will survive and that is essential.”
Husker Genetics, the foundation seed division of the University
of Nebraska, Lincoln, is managing Liberty production. Growers interested in
producing certified seed should contact Husker Genetics at 402-624-8020. Researchers
can obtain small amounts of seed by contacting USDA-ARS Agronomist, Rob
Mitchell at rob.mitchell@ars.usda.gov. For
more information read “Registration of ‘Liberty’ Switchgrass”, available for
free as a download here:
