Nov 12, 2009 3:36 PM

Thousand Oaks, CA, November 12, 2009 – New switchgrass and sorghum seed varieties from Blade Energy Crops have been selected for use in the production of advanced biofuels and biopower.

SWITCHGRASS: For 2010 plantings, Blade has expanded its switchgrass lineup, which now includes three improved varieties – EG 1101, EG 1102 and EG 2101. EG  1101 is an improved Alamo type, and EG 1102 is an improved Kanlow type. Both have been bred for high biomass yields and better vigor/establishment. They have shown superior conversion characteristics for biochemical and thermochemical processes. EG 2101 is an improved Cave-in-Rock type. It is more winter hardy than EG 1101 and EG 1102. A perennial, switchgrass can be utilized as a spring forage for cattle.

HIGH-BIOMASS SORGHUM: Blade is also booking seed for new high-biomass types of sorghum, ES 5200 and ES 5201. Both hybrids feature Skyscraper™, a trait that provides a generation’s worth of biomass yield improvement in a single step. EG 5200 and EG 5201 are suited to single-cut harvest systems.  As an annual, sorghum provides a flexible, fast-growing source of biomass and fits well into established crop rotations.

Blade customers may be eligible for payments of up to 75% of seed and other establishment costs from the federal Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP). Check with your local Farm Service Agency office for program rules.

Blade Energy Crops — a Ceres, Inc. brand
Thousand Oaks, Calif. * College Station, Texas
Toll-free (877)498-SEED
 www.bladeenergy.com

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