Journal
NEW PHYTOLOGIST
Volume 179, Issue 1, Pages 15-32Publisher
WILEY
DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2008.02432.x
Keywords
bioenergy; biofuels; biomass; lignocellulosic; perennial grasses; poplar; willow
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Funding
- Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council [EP/E039995/1] Funding Source: researchfish
- Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council [BBS/E/C/00004956] Funding Source: Medline
- BBSRC [BBS/E/C/00004956] Funding Source: UKRI
- EPSRC [EP/E039995/1] Funding Source: UKRI
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Bioenergy from plants, particularly from perennial grasses and trees, could make a substantial contribution to alleviation of global problems in climate change and energy security if high yields can be sustained. Here, yield traits in a range of key bioenergy crops are reviewed, from which several targets for future improvement can be identified. Some are already the focus of genetically modified (GM) and non-GM approaches. However, the efficient growth strategies of perennial bioenergy crops rely on newly assimilated and recycled carbon and remobilized nitrogen in a continually shifting balance between sources and sinks. This balance is affected by biotic (e.g. pest, disease) and abiotic (e.g. drought) stresses. Future research should focus on three main challenges: changing (photo)thermal time sensitivity to lengthen the growing season without risking frost damage or limiting remobilization of nutritional elements following senescence; increasing aboveground biomass without depleting belowground reserves required for next year's growth and thus without increasing the requirement for nutrient applications; and increasing aboveground biomass without increasing water use.
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