Tough Characters: Looking for Biofuel Plants that Can Survive Drought and Other Harsh Conditions

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February 16, 2015

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by Chris Woolston (Bioenergy Connection) With its crown of pink blossoms, the humble seashore mallow may look unassuming, even delicate. But when it comes to brutal environments, this seaside shrub is no pushover. Seashore Mallow can survive one drought after another. It’s a perennial. And it feels right at home in soil so salty it would kill most food crops. And most importantly, it has oil-rich seeds that could someday become an important source of biodiesel.

No one knows yet if Seashore Mallow will actually produce a reliable, affordable fuel.But many researchers believe that the future of biofuel will rest largely on such plants, which — like agave, sorghum, miscanthus, and prairie cordgrass — are rugged enough to withstand an increasingly harsh climate.

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At the same time, biofuel researchers are investigating energy crops that can thrive in soils that have been flooded or inundated by seawater – something particularly important as sea levels rise. Candidates include shrubs accustomed to sea spray, such as the Seashore Mallow, along with salt-tolerant grasses and even trees. READ MORE

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