The Northern Great Plains has over 4 million hectares of highly erodible and saline crop land. Development of perennial biofuel crops may provide long-term sustainability on these lands by reducing soil erosion, increasing soil organic matter, reducing greenhouse gases and enhancing carbon sequestration. Although studies are on-going in long-term field experiments, the best management practices are still needed to be developed for producers. The long-term ecological and environmental benefits are also needed to be quantified in the area.

Author details

Qingwu Xue

Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Amarillo, Amarillo, TX, USA Guojie Wang and Paul E. Nyren

North Dakota State University, Central Grasslands Research Extension Center, Streeter, ND, USA