Switching to Switchgrass
Of the many consequences of saltwater intrusion, one major negative effect is the toll it takes on agricultural fields and, therefore, farmers. Saltwater intrusion leads to decreased crop productivity, leaving farmers in a difficult position where they must consider altering their management practices [1]. One management practice being studied by the Agroecology Lab at UMD is planting salt-tolerant crops (i.e., soybeans/sorghum) in order to adapt to increased salinity in farm soils, but there are potential costs and benefits to this switch [1]. Implementing this adaptive farming approach could be beneficial in supporting the rural economy, but also may be costly to the farmer via the upfront costs associated with transitioning to a new crop [1]. Another option for farmers is planting a low-input crop (i.e., switchgrass) [1]. Switchgrass is beneficial to the overall health of the ecosystem based on its ability to reduce nutrients such as phosphorous in soils which would otherwise contribute to eutrophication [1]. Switchgrass has also been found to remove other harmful pollutants from soil such as Bisphenol-A (BPA), which is a potent endocrine disrupting compound that is an ingredient used in plastics and resins [2]. Planting switchgrass has been shown to be beneficial to the environment, but in order for farmers to make this switch is must also be economically viable. One potential use for switchgrass is as a biofuel. Switchgrass has been found to yield 540% more energy than the energy needed to produce and convert it to ethanol and also produces 94% less average greenhouse gas emissions compared to gasoline [3]. Further research is being conducted in order to breed switchgrass to possess the traits needed to be a profitable biofuel source [4].
The work I am currently doing in the Agroecology lab is processing plant samples collected from the field for analysis. A large portion of this involves grinding up soybean and sorghum samples using a coffee grinder and grinding switchgrass biomass using a Wiley Mill. After samples are ground, they are then digested and analyzed using colorimetry to determine nutrient concentration. I am also working on an individual project to analyze phosphorous concentrations in switchgrass biomass and soil over time (i.e., 2018, 2019, 2020). The purpose of this project is to see the effect that planting switchgrass has on nutrient uptake. The goal of this research is to offer alternative management practices that improve economic and environmental sustainability, while also benefitting landowners and farmers facing saltwater intrusion.
References
1. Tully, K., K. Gedan, R. Epanch-Niell, A. Strong, E. S. Bernhardt, T. BenDor, M. Mitchell, J. Kominoski, T. E. Jordan, S. C. Neubauer, N. B. Weston. 2019. The Invisible Flood: Chemistry, Ecology, and Social Implications of the Coastal Saltwater Intrusion. BioScience 69: 368-378.
2. Phouthavong-Murphy, J. C., A. K. Merrill, S. Zamule, D. Giacherio, B. Brown, C. Roote, P. Das. 2020. Phytoremediation potential of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), two United States native varieties, to remove bisphenol-A (BPA) from aqueous media. Scientific Reports 10: 835.
3. R. A. Butler. “Switchgrass a better biofuel source than corn”. Mongabay. 2008. Web. https://news.mongabay.com/2008/01/switchgrass-a-better-biofuel-source-than-corn/ Accessed 29 March 2022.
4. K. Korzekwa. “Better Switchgrass, Better Biofuel”. American Society of Agronomy. 2015. Web. https://www.agronomy.org/news/science-news/better-switchgrass-better-biofuel/ Accessed 29 March 2022.