Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 608 GERMINATION.CA MARCH 2017 IN RECENT YEARS, the food-versus-fuel debate has helped spur research into advanced biofuels, which are liquid or gaseous fuels produced through the conversion of biomass consist- ing of non-food raw materials like grasses and trees. As one would imagine, Canada has a wealth of biomass, as well as many agricultural and forestry waste and byproducts that can be used to manufacture biofuels. However, the challenge of determining the right kinds of feedstock and how to convert them into bioenergy effi- ciently and sustainably is central to the growth of the advanced biofuel industry in this country. To this end, Canadian scientists at four different sites in Nova Scotia, Ontario and Alberta have been researching the suitability of purpose- grown switchgrass and poplar trees as feedstock for the production of liquid biofuel since 2014. The three-year pan-Canadian trial is funded by BioFuelNet Canada, a network that brings together the Canadian biofuels research commu- nity to help unlock the potential of an advanced biofuels industry while focusing on non-food biomass as bio- fuel feedstocks. Other partners include the Canadian Wood Fibre Centre. The four sites in Guelph and Kempville, Ont., Nappan, N.S., and Edmonton, Alta. were chosen to reflect the wide range of growing conditions in Canada. Researchers have been testing two varieties of switchgrass, which is a perennial warm season bunchgrass native to North America, and two clones of hybrid poplar trees in each of the sites to see which are the most and least suitable locations for growing these plants. “We are assessing where to grow these crops to get the best economic return. We are growing them in a similar soil type not suitable for any agricultural crops and we are assess- FUELLINGtheFUTURE Researchers around the globe are investigating ways to lessen our reliance on fossil fuels. Canadian researchers are studying how switchgrass could be used to do this.Mark Halsall ing the climatic influence on the growth of these biofuel crops,” says Naresh Thevathasan, a University of Guelph professor who is project leader of the pan-Canadian purpose- grown biomass crops trial. Making Use of Marginal Lands The sites chosen to test the feed- stock are classified as Agricultural Capability Class 3 or 4 land, which have lower-grade soils than Class 1 and 2 lands, where most agricultural production takes place. Thevathasan says factors such as low fertility, ston- iness and excess sloping makes these marginal lands much less productive for crops like corn and wheat. There is, however, a lot of this kind of land in Canada — more than 10 million hectares, according to Thevathasan. He says landowners are experimenting with different uses for these marginal lands, and producing purpose-grown feedstock for bioen- ergy could be one answer. Naresh Thevathasan, project leader of the pan-Canadian purpose-grown biomass crops trial, looks for any pest infestation on hybrid poplar trees at the University of Guelph research site. Photo: BioFuelNet Canada