At one time, corn was considered the best plant for ethanol production.
Ethanol is a type of alcohol made from plant material. It is considered a replacement or additive for gasoline and is used for fuel in automobile and other engines. When the cost of gasoline production increases, there is a higher interest in ethanol as a cheaper fuel source. There are several different plants that can be used for ethanol production.
Kudzu
Kudzu is a vigorous vine that grows wild in the southeastern United States. It was introduced to the U.S. in the late 1800s as food for cattle and was later planted for erosion control. Kudzu escaped cultivation and is now considered a noxious weed. Kudzu grows very quickly, up to 60 feet per season, and can be harvested twice per year without harming the plant.
Switchgrass
Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) is a native perennial grass that grows naturally in the midwestern and southeastern U.S. However, for optimal production, nitrogen fertilizer must be used and improved varieties of Switchgrass must be planted. It has a very high rate of return because it is only planted once, unlike corn which is planted every year. Switchgrass produces almost five times the energy it takes to grow, so it is a very productive plant to use for ethanol production.
Corn
Corn is what most people think of when it comes to ethanol-producing crops. However, in order to grow corn, lots of energy is consumed in the planting and harvesting process. In addition, once the corn reaches the ethanol plant for processing, more energy is needed to produce ethanol from the corn, making the rate of return low. Using corn for ethanol also drives up the price of food as farmland used to grow food crops is replaced by corn crops tied to ethanol production. Although corn was originally thought to be the best plant for ethanol production, it is falling out of favor as other plants are now being considered.
Sugarcane
Sugarcane is used extensively for ethanol production is Brazil. Almost no part of the plant is wasted in the production process. It is easy to grow, compared to corn, and requires little fertilizer. Sugarcane multiplies rapidly, and one field can be harvested multiple times. However, because sugarcane grows best in tropical and subtropical climates, it cannot survive if planted in the midwestern United States.
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