Accelerating energy crop growth via genetic techniques

Reduction of feedstock costs is necessary, and genetic techniques can be used to increase productivity, thereby lowering costs. Current regional average productivities in the SRWCP range from 7 to 17 dry Mg ha/sup /minus/1/ year/sup /minus/1/ and the best average productivity found in the Pacific Northwest is 32.8 dry Mg ha/sup /minus/1/ year/sup /minus/1/ on hybrid poplar. Average regional productivities in screening trials of the HECP for lignocellulosic crops range from 3.6 to 21.4 dry Mg ha/sup /minus/1/ year/sup /minus/1/. Average annual rapeseed seed yields varied from 0.7 to 4.21 Mg/ha depending on the planting site, with a maximum yield of 5.53 Mg/ha. Breeding and biotechnology are or will be used to improve the yields of the energy crops. SRWCP productivity goals have been met and exceeded in small plots when genetically improved clones have been used. The SRWCP is currently performing genetic improvement research on five tree species and has inserted genes for herbicide tolerance into a hybrid poplar clone. The HECP plans to initiate genetic improvement of selected grass species in the near future. 28 refs., 4 figs., 7 tabs.