The primary goal of the Feedstocks research of the Sustainable Energy Research Center at Mississippi State University is to develop agronomically, economically, and environmentally sustainable cropping systems for production, harvesting, and handling of biomass crops in Mississippi.  Beyond this critical agronomic information, researchers will attempt to genetically improve selected crops and develop a better understanding of the physiological mechanisms limiting increased plant production through proteomics techniques.

Our goal will be reached by carrying out several field studies of biomass crop varieties to determine which plants are best suited for the different ecological conditions in Mississippi. The biomass considered in this study can be divided into three subcategories: lignocellulosic crops such as switchgrass, oilseed crops like canola and sunflower, and woody biomass like lumber mill waste.  Part of the research will involve developing cropping systems for biomass crops that increasing productivity of the available land without increasing the cost of production.  Plant species that are identified as good biomass sources could be further studied to develop genetic variants that exhibit the characteristics needed for biofuel production. Also, some crops are being studied under multiple stress environments to determine the physiological limits of the species. Researchers are simultaneously working to develop more cost effective ways of breaking down the biomass so biofuels can be produced at a lower cost. Also, experiments are underway to increase the efficiency of transporting the crops from farms to biofuel production plants through pelletization.

By aiding in the development a renewable energy industry, the research being carried by the Feedstocks Thrust could help reduce foreign oil dependency and improve the nation’s security and economic stability.  The use of renewable energy has the potential to help the environment because biofuels burn cleaner than fossil fuels, and the production of the biofuels uses waste materials and sustainable crops instead of the limited fossil fuel supply.  In order to develop a strong renewable energy industry in the United States, we will need to discover how to grow the bioenergy crops and which crops are best for the industry.  Geographic diversity in feedstock farming is important for sustainability, low transportation cost and reduced variability of total national production annually.  We will also need to find ways to decrease the cost of producing, transporting and processing the biomass which are areas being researched.

Feedstocks research is important to the state and region because it has the potential to bring in a large renewable energy industry that is not present currently.  A sustainable cropping system for energy crops would provide new opportunities for Mississippi producers or new markets for existing crops. Also, our research aims to decrease the cost of biofuel production which reduces the cost of the final product. As the price for biofuel falls, its usage increases.


 Switchgrass at the Soil-Plant-Atmosphere-Research facility