The preeminent American institution for research on Miscanthus (Miscanthus x giganteus) is located at the University of Illinois in Champaign Urbana. This project is led by Dr. Stephen P. Long (Robert Emerson Professor at the University of Illinois and editor of Global Change Biology) as its principal researcher. With six years of research and field trials and more than 15 world class researchers pursuing Miscanthus studies, this project is paving the way for a new economic future for Illinois farmers and for a greener future for Illinois power production.

• Miscanthus is a large perennial grass with potential for use in energy production.
• Non-invasive- planted fields land easily reclaimed for corn/soy bean.
• High yielding, low/no input.
• Excellent for carbon sequestration and soil building.
• Yield estimates from 10-15 tons per acre.
• Potential income generation through carbon credits.

In The News

Weather.com - “Will Giant Grass Fuel Our Cars?”

UIUC Public Affairs Video slideshow: “Miscanthus x giganteus Research”