Evaluation of productivity of 18 genotypes of switchgrass for energy destination in northern Italy

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum, L.) is a perennial herbaceous energy crop that could be cultivated on a wide variety of sites. To introduce switchgrass in the EU agriculture and convert it into specific energy products the crop needs to be environmentally acceptable and economically sustainable for farmers. For that reason high biomass yields are essential. Moreover the biomass quality needs to be suitable for the energy plants, i.e. with a very low humidity and ash content at harvest. A good strategy to introduce switchgrass is to identify the most promising varieties considering different site and climatic conditions. With reference to the habitat preferences, morphological features, ploidy level, and molecular markers, switchgrass ecotypes are clustered into two types: “lowlands” and “uplands”. Lowland switchgrass ecotypes are generally more productive but also less resistant to low temperature. Upland ecotypes may have a stronger early vigor and a shorter cycle than lowland types. Since the highest yield varieties should be preferred for the energy destination lowland types may be favored when the winter frost is not too hard. Anyway considering the farmers activity and the possibility to make more than one moving for year it may be a good alternative to establish both types and move them early or late in the season. Moreover this may cover a larger harvest window with more advantages for the energy plants.