Selecting, Establishing, and Managing Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) for Biofuels

2009 ◽  
pp. 27-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
David J. Parrish ◽  
John H. Fike
Keyword(s):  
Panicum Virgatum

Identifying Native Prairie Grass Seedlings

HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 450e-451
Author(s):  
Virginia A. Gaynor ◽  
Mary Hockenberry Meyer
Keyword(s):  
Panicum Virgatum ◽  
Schizachyrium Scoparium ◽  
Sorghastrum Nutans ◽  
Native Prairie ◽  
Switch Grass ◽  
Little Bluestem ◽  
Prairie Grass ◽  
Central United States ◽  
Prairie Restorations ◽  
Sideoats Grama

There is great interest in prairie gardens and prairie restorations in the central United States. Small prairie gardens are often established with plugs, but most restorationists and landscape contractors use seed for large plantings. If initial establishment is poor, restorations are often interseeded the second or third season. However, to evaluate early establishment and determine if interseeding is necessary, contractors must be able to identify native grasses in the seedling and juvenile stages. In this study we investigated vegetative characteristics of native prairie grass seedlings. Seven species of native prairie grass were grown in the greenhouse: Andropogon gerardii (big bluestem), Sorghastrum nutans (Indian grass), Panicum virgatum (switch grass), Schizachyrium scoparium (little bluestem), Bouteloua curtipendula (sideoats grama), Elymus canadensis (Canada wildrye), and Bromus kalmii (Kalmís brome). Every 2 to 3 weeks after germination, seedlings were photographed, pressed, and mounted. Additional photographs were taken through the dissecting scope at key stages of development. Ligules and auricles were found to be useful in distinguishing species, and our close-up photographs highlight these structures. Hairiness and color were variable within a species and could not be used reliably in identification. A seedling identification key will be presented for the species studied.

scholarly journals Internode structure and cell wall composition in maturing tillers of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum. L)

2007 ◽  
Vol 98 (16) ◽  
pp. 2985-2992 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gautam Sarath ◽  
Lisa M. Baird ◽  
Kenneth P. Vogel ◽  
Robert B. Mitchell
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Panicum Virgatum ◽  
Cell Wall Composition ◽  
Panicum Virgatum L

scholarly journals First report of Rhizoctonia cerealis causing sharp eyespot in Panicum virgatum in the UK

2001 ◽  
Vol 50 (6) ◽  
pp. 807-807 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. V. Etheridge ◽  
L. Davey ◽  
D. G. Christian
Keyword(s):  
Panicum Virgatum ◽  
First Report ◽  
Sharp Eyespot ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Rhizoctonia Cerealis

A survey of endophytic fungi of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the Midwest, and their putative roles in plant growth

2012 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 521-529 ◽  
Author(s):  
N.M. Kleczewski ◽  
J.T. Bauer ◽  
J.D. Bever ◽  
K. Clay ◽  
H.L. Reynolds
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Endophytic Fungi ◽  
Panicum Virgatum

Investigation of genomic organization in switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) using DNA markers

2005 ◽  
Vol 110 (8) ◽  
pp. 1372-1383 ◽  
Author(s):  
A M Missaoui ◽  
A H Paterson ◽  
J H Bouton
Keyword(s):  
Dna Markers ◽  
Panicum Virgatum ◽  
Genomic Organization ◽  
Panicum Virgatum L

scholarly journals Insect resistance of a full sib family of tetraploid switchgrass Panicum virgatum L. with varying lignin levels

2012 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 975-984 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick F. Dowd ◽  
Gautam Sarath ◽  
Robert B. Mitchell ◽  
Aaron J. Saathoff ◽  
Kenneth P. Vogel
Keyword(s):  
Insect Resistance ◽  
Panicum Virgatum ◽  
Panicum Virgatum L

scholarly journals First Report of Leaf Spot caused by Bipolaris oryzae on Switchgrass in Tennessee

Plant Disease ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 97 (12) ◽  
pp. 1654-1654 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. L. Vu ◽  
M. M. Dee ◽  
J. Zale ◽  
K. D. Gwinn ◽  
B. H. Ownley
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Spot ◽  
Panicum Virgatum ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Its Region ◽  
Spore Production ◽  
Post Inoculation ◽  
Sterile Water ◽  
Bipolaris Oryzae ◽  
First Report ◽  
Symptomatic Leaf

Knowledge of pathogens in switchgrass, a potential biofuels crop, is limited. In December 2007, dark brown to black irregularly shaped foliar spots were observed on ‘Alamo’ switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) on the campus of the University of Tennessee. Symptomatic leaf samples were surface-sterilized (95% ethanol, 1 min; 20% commercial bleach, 3 min; 95% ethanol, 1 min), rinsed in sterile water, air-dried, and plated on 2% water agar amended with 3.45 mg fenpropathrin/liter (Danitol 2.4 EC, Valent Chemical, Walnut Creek, CA) and 10 mg/liter rifampicin (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO). A sparsely sporulating, dematiaceous mitosporic fungus was observed. Fungal plugs were transferred to surface-sterilized detached ‘Alamo’ leaves on sterile filter paper in a moist chamber to increase spore production. Conidia were ovate, oblong, mostly straight to slightly curved, and light to olive-brown with 3 to 10 septa. Conidial dimensions were 12.5 to 17 × 27.5 to 95 (average 14.5 × 72) μm. Conidiophores were light brown, single, multiseptate, and geniculate. Conidial production was polytretic. Morphological characteristics and disease symptoms were similar to those described for Bipolaris oryzae (Breda de Haan) Shoemaker (2). Disease assays were done with 6-week-old ‘Alamo’ switchgrass grown from seed scarified with 60% sulfuric acid and surface-sterilized in 50% bleach. Nine 9 × 9-cm square pots with approximately 20 plants per pot were inoculated with a mycelial slurry (due to low spore production) prepared from cultures grown on potato dextrose agar for 7 days. Cultures were flooded with sterile water and rubbed gently to loosen mycelium. Two additional pots were inoculated with sterile water and subjected to the same conditions to serve as controls. Plants were exposed to high humidity by enclosure in a plastic bag for 72 h. Bags were removed, and plants were incubated at 25/20°C with 50 to 60% relative humidity. During the disease assay, plants were kept in a growth chamber with a 12-h photoperiod of fluorescent and incandescent lighting. Foliar leaf spot symptoms appeared 5 to 14 days post-inoculation for eight of nine replicates. Control plants had no symptoms. Symptomatic leaf tissue was processed and plated as described above. The original fungal isolate and the pathogen recovered in the disease assay were identified using internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region sequences. The ITS region of rDNA was amplified with PCR and primer pairs ITS4 and ITS5 (4). PCR amplicons of 553 bp were sequenced, and sequences from the original isolate and the reisolated pathogen were identical (GenBank Accession No. JQ237248). The sequence had 100% nucleotide identity to B. oryzae from switchgrass in Mississippi (GU222690, GU222691, GU222692, and GU222693) and New York (JF693908). Leaf spot caused by B. oryzae on switchgrass has also been described in North Dakota (1) and was seedborne in Mississippi (3). To our knowledge, this is the first report of B. oryzae from switchgrass in Tennessee. References: (1) D. F. Farr and A. Y. Rossman. Fungal Databases. Systematic Mycology and Microbiology Laboratory, ARS, USDA. Retrieved from http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/, 28 June 2012. (2) J. M. Krupinsky et al. Can. J. Plant Pathol. 26:371, 2004. (3) M. Tomaso-Peterson and C. J. Balbalian. Plant Dis. 94:643, 2010. (4) T. J. White et al. Pages 315-322 in: PCR Protocols: a Guide to Methods and Applications. M. A. Innis et al. (eds), Acad. Press, San Diego, 1990.

scholarly journals Three sympatrically occurring species of Metarhizium show plant rhizosphere specificity

Microbiology ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 157 (10) ◽  
pp. 2904-2911 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Wyrebek ◽  
Cristina Huber ◽  
Ramanpreet Kaur Sasan ◽  
Michael J. Bidochka
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Acer Saccharum ◽  
Panicum Virgatum ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Root Exudate ◽  
Pathogenic Fungus ◽  
Plant Roots ◽  
Metarhizium Robertsii ◽  
Grass Roots

Here we tested the hypothesis that species of the soil-inhabiting insect-pathogenic fungus Metarhizium are not randomly distributed in soils but show plant-rhizosphere-specific associations. We isolated Metarhizium from plant roots at two sites in Ontario, Canada, sequenced the 5′ EF-1α gene to discern Metarhizium species, and developed an RFLP test for rapid species identification. Results indicated a non-random association of three Metarhizium species (Metarhizium robertsii, Metarhizium brunneum and Metarhizium guizhouense) with the rhizosphere of certain types of plant species (identified to species and categorized as grasses, wildflowers, shrubs and trees). M. robertsii was the only species that was found associated with grass roots, suggesting a possible exclusion of M. brunneum and M. guizhouense. Supporting this, in vitro experiments showed that M. robertsii conidia germinated significantly better in Panicum virgatum (switchgrass) root exudate than did M. brunneum or M. guizhouense. M. guizhouense and M. brunneum only associated with wildflower rhizosphere when co-occurring with M. robertsii. With the exception of these co-occurrences, M. guizhouense was found to associate exclusively with the rhizosphere of tree species, predominantly Acer saccharum (sugar maple), while M. brunneum was found to associate exclusively with the rhizosphere of shrubs and trees. These associations demonstrate that different species of Metarhizium associate with specific plant types.

scholarly journals Corn Grain and Stover Nutrient Uptake Responses from Sandy Soil Treated with Designer Biochars and Compost

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 942
Author(s):  
Jeffrey M. Novak ◽  
Donald W. Watts ◽  
Gilbert C. Sigua ◽  
Thomas F. Ducey
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Uptake ◽  
Corn Stover ◽  
Pinus Contorta ◽  
Panicum Virgatum ◽  
Zea Mays L ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Extractable P ◽  
Soil Fertility Improvement ◽  
Corn Grain

Biochars are used for soil fertility improvement because they may contain certain elements that plants use as nutrients. However, few studies have demonstrated enhanced crop nutrient uptake. Our study examined nutrient uptake responses of corn (Zea Mays L.) grain and stover over 4 years (Y) after a Goldsboro sandy loam (fine-loamy, siliceous, sub-active, thermic Aquic Paleudults) received different designer biochars and a compost. The designer biochars were produced from lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) chip (PC), poultry litter (PL), blends with switchgrass (SG; Panicum virgatum), and a SG compost alone. Topsoil treated with 100% PL biochar and blended PC:PL biochar had significantly greater Mehlich 1 (M1) extractable P, K and Na contents compared to the control or other treatments. No significant differences were detected in annual grain nutrient concentrations. In the first corn stover harvest (Y1), significantly greater concentrations of P and K were taken up after treatment with 100% PL biochar, with PC:PL blend and with SG when compared to control. By the fourth corn stover harvest (Y4), nutrient uptake between treatments was not significantly different. Biochar impact on corn stover P, K and Na concentrations was time dependent, suggesting that repeated biochar applications may be needed.

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