The contribution of switchgrass in reducing GHG emissions
Open accessAbstract
The contribution of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), a perennial C 4 grass, in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions was reviewed under three main areas; the impact on carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N 2 O), and methane emissions (CH4), whilst also taking into account the effects of land conversion to switchgrass. Switchgrass is able to enhance biomass accumulation in a wide range of environmental conditions, which is the premise for considerable carbon assimilation and storage in the belowground organs. The progress in some areas of crop husbandry (e.g., tillage and fertilization) has fostered benefits for carbon storage, while restraining GHG emissions. As root biomass is the main indicator of soil carbon sequestration, switchgrass's dense and deep rooting is a relevant advantage, although uncertainty still exists about the crop's belowground biomass accumulation. In agreement with this, most LCA studies addressing CO2 emissions report significant benefits from switchgrass cultivation and processing. Beside CO2, switchgrass performed better than most other biomass crops also in terms of N 2 O emission. In the case of CH4 emission, it may be argued that switchgrass should act as a moderate sink, i.e., contributing to mitigate CH4 atmospheric concentration, but a substantial lack of information indicates the need for specific research on the topic. Land conversion to switchgrass is the latest issue which needs to be addressed in LCA studies: not surprisingly, the net CO2 abatement appears remarkable if switchgrass is grown in former arable lands, although it is slightly negative to positive if switchgrass replaces permanent grassland. In conclusion, switchgrass could significantly contribute to mitigate GHG emissions, although areas of uncertainty still exist in the assessment of soil carbon storage, N 2 O and CH4 emissions, and the effects of converting lands to switchgrass. Further improvements must, therefore, be achieved to strengthen the crop's remarkable sustainability.
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Most analyses of cellulosic ethanol reported significant reductions in life-cycle GHG emissions when compared with baseline gasoline, with reductions of 63% to 118% reported.
“On the other hand, most analyses of cellulosic ethanol reported significant reductions in life-cycle GHG emissions when compared with those from baseline gasoline. Reductions of 63% to 118% have been reported (Borrion et al 2012, MacLean and Spatari 2009, Monti et al 2012, Mu et al 2010, Scown et al 2012, Wang et al 2011a, Whitaker et al 2010).”
From Well-to-wheels energy use and greenhouse gas emissions of ethanol from corn, sugarcane and cellulosic biomass for US use (2012) · cites this paper as Monti et al 2012
Table 3 (labelled Conclusions in our copy) reports 63–118% life-cycle GHG savings for switchgrass bioethanol compared with gasoline, and the life-cycle emissions section says the literature generally finds significant benefits from switchgrass. The paper reviews switchgrass specifically, so it does not establish that most analyses of cellulosic ethanol across feedstocks find such reductions. (LLM, conf=0.84)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredOur results for cellulosic ethanol are in line with two recent studies that reported life-cycle GHG emissions of switchgrass and miscanthus ethanol.
“Our results for cellulosic ethanol are in line with two recent studies that reported life-cycle GHG emissions of switchgrass and miscanthus ethanol.”
From Well-to-wheels energy use and greenhouse gas emissions of ethanol from corn, sugarcane and cellulosic biomass for US use (2012) · cites this paper as Monti et al (2012)
PECs can allocate high amounts of atmospheric C in belowground biomass (BGB) thanks to deep and dense fine rooting systems.
“PECs can allocate high amounts of atmospheric C in the belowground biomass (BGB; Chimento & Amaducci, 2015; Monti et al., 2012; Monti & Zatta, 2009) thanks to the deep and dense fine rooting systems (Chimento & Amaducci, 2015).”
From Belowground biomass C outweighs soil organic C of perennial energy crops: Insights from a long‐term multispecies trial (2021) · cites this paper as Monti et al., 2012
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“PECs can allocate high amounts of atmospheric C in the belowground biomass (BGB; Chimento & Amaducci, 2015; Monti et al., 2012; Monti & Zatta, 2009) thanks to the deep and dense fine rooting systems (Chimento & Amaducci, 2015).”
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Self-citation
- Authors
- Monti, A., Barbanti, L., Zatta, A., & Zegada‐Lizarazu, W.
- Affiliations
- University of Bologna (IT)
- Corresponding author
- Monti, Andrea
- Venue
- GCB Bioenergy
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2011-12-09
- Volume
- 4
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 420-434
- ISSN
- 1757-1693 (ISSN-L)
- 1757-1707
- OpenAlex
- W2044144652
- Cited by
- 119
- References
- 22
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 13 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 8 · 2014: 11 · 2013: 15 · 2012: 4
- FWCI
- 18.49
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- GCB Bioenergy (publishedVersion)
- Archivio istituzionale della ricerca (Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Agronomy and Crop Science › Bioenergy crop production and management
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Soil Science › Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Engineering › Environmental Impact and Sustainability
- Keywords
- switchgrass, greenhouse gas emissions, soil carbon sequestration, nitrous oxide emissions, methane emissions, land conversion, life cycle assessment, belowground biomass, root biomass, C4 grasses, energy crops, arable land conversion, permanent grassland
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