Bioeconomy Institute

Integrated Feedstock Supply Systems for Corn Stover Biomass

This project addresses critical needs for corn stover feedstock development through an integrated multidisciplinary approach. Research teams are focused on plant breeding and crop physiology, harvest and storage technologies, and systems evaluation and integration. The overall goal is to develop productive, efficient, and sustainable strategies for corn stover biomass as a primary feedstock for the bioeconomy of the 21st century, while significantly improving the rural agro-industrial economy.

This project will address these challenges to develop next-generation integrated systems for corn stover feedstock supply. The objectives of this project are to:

develop innovative harvesting and storage technologies to efficiently and economically move corn stover from the field to the factory gate with physical and chemical properties optimal for the conversion processes

identify genetic varieties of corn with specific properties attractive for biobased industries and initiate a breeding program to enhance those properties; and

evaluate and optimize these systems for efficiency, and economic and environmental sustainability.

For harvest and storage, the primary emphasis will be on developing innovative single-pass harvesting and wet storage systems, which have both economic and technical advantages for centralized bioconversion processes. Conventional multi-pass and dry storage systems will be included for comparative purposes, and for their potential in decentralized and thermochemical conversions such as gasification. Specific corn breeding targets include lignin and cellulose metabolism for their impacts on fiber quality and hydrolysis characteristics; silica content for its impact on downstream bioprocessing and thermochemical conversion; and yield and distribution of corn biomass among stover constituents with respect to densification and conversion characteristics. System integration goals include increased overall biomass productivity, efficient use of nutrients and energy; improved soil quality; and enhanced rural economic development.

Principal Investigators:

Robert Anex, Iowa State University

Stuart Birrell, Iowa State University

Kenneth Moore, Iowa State University

Kendall Lamkey, Iowa State University

Tom Richard, Penn State University

Associated Contracts or Grants:

Integrated Feedstock Supply Systems for Corn Stover Biomass, USDA Grant No. 68-3A75-4-137.

Participating and/or Sponsoring Organizations:

United States Department of Agriculture
University of Wisconsin-Madison
USDA Forage Research Center
USDA Corn Insect and Crop Genetics Research Unit
World Resources Institute
John Deere
Genencor International