Perennial grain new use for intermediate wheatgrass

Excerpt

MOST agricultural crops and all grain crops grown currently are annuals. Given the proper conditions, these crops can produce spectacular yields and good profits. Annual crops, however, are not necessarily the best choice for all situations, especially on highly erodible or marginal land. Soil erosion and other environmental problems associated with annual crop production currently are managed with such practices as contouring, terracing, conservation tillage, wind erosion reduction methods (2), and land set-asides.

Although these practices may control soil erosion, they may be undesirable for other reasons. For example, conservation tillage tends to depend heavily on agricultural chemicals that may leach into groundwater supplies. Development of perennial grain crops could provide farmers with an alternative that reduces soil erosion and improves environmental aspects of crop production. The concept of producing grain from well-adapted, herbaceous perennials was first presented by Wes Jackson in his book New Roots for Agriculture (3). Grain production from perennial grasses could provide an important alternative use for land that cannot sustain annual crop production.

The advantages that perennial grains have over annuals include year-round soil protection as well as lower annual inputs of labor and materials. Mechanical field operations in a perennial grain system are reduced …