SWITCHGRASS

Family: Gramineae

Genus: Panicum

Species: virgatum

(i) General background on the plant

Panicum virgatum is a perennial sod-forming grass, growing up to 2.5 m tall. It is a cool-season grass and is a predominant pasture species in much of the southern US Corn Belt. It can be distinguished from other, warm-season grasses even when young by a white patch of hair at the point where the leaf attaches to the stem. The stem is round and usually has a reddish tint. Flowers are purple in colour, and are borne singly at the end of branches. The seedhead is an open, spreading panicle.

It is native to all of the United States except California and the Pacific Northwest and is commonly found in wet areas of America. In the East of America switch grass is found more often on dry soils, along sandy roadsides and along the upland edge of salt marshes, where it grows in bunches.

ii) Details of quality character

Analysis of the composition of P. virgatum on a % basis.

(Bullard 1996)

(iii) Current production and yields

In the United States switchgrass is considered the most valuable native grass on a wide range of sites. It is noted for its heavy growth in late spring and early summer. It is also a valuable soil stabilization plant, and is used as a windbreak in crop fields.

(iv) Constraints on production

(v) Markets and market potential

As with Miscanthus and Phalaris arundinacea, switch grass is being considered for biomass production.

(vi) Other information

Switchgrass does best on moderately deep to deep, somewhat dry to poorly drained, sandy to clay loam soils. It does poorly on heavy soils. It should be seeded into a pure stand for pasture or hay. Control of weeds in the seedling year can be achieved by mowing at 10cm height in May. N, P & K are added for maximum yields, but if the crop is grazed P & K will not be needed as they will be returned to the soil by the animals. Benefits from burning of spring residues prior to initiation of spring growth.

Provides excellent cover for pheasants, quail and rabbits during autumn and winter. It tolerates heavy snow well and is not flattened by it. The seeds provide food for pheasant, quail and other birds.

Grasshoppers and leafhoppers can be major pests in new seedlings. Some stands are impacted by damping off and seedling blight. Leaf rust occasionally affects switchgrass.

See the following pages in the NF-2000 Database

FAIR5-CT97-3701 Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L) as an alternative energy crop in Europe.

(vii) Contacts

(viii) References

Brown, L. 1979. Grasses, an identification guide.

Haughton Mifflin Company, USA.

Bullard 1996. Personal Communication.