Biofuels

Biofuels generally are considered any material that is consumed to derive energy and comes from plants. Examples of biofuels include ethanol and biodiesel. Ethanol, or ethyl alcohol, is made from the fermentation of sugar. Common sources of fuel ethanol include sugar cane (Brazil) and corn (United States). Other sources of ethanol include wheat, barley, rice, sugar beets, grain sorghum and sweet sorghum. Much research is currently being conducted on cellulosic (fiberous) sources for ethanol. Such sources would include corn fodder, hay, wood pulp, etc. These sources are high in cellulose, which can be broken down to sugar and fermented to ethanol. Biodiesel is commonly derived from vegetable oil, making any plant that produces oil a potential candidate for biodiesel. Common sources for biodiesel include rapeseed, sunflower, soybean and palm. Other sources for biodiesel include peanut and camelina. Peanut oil was actually the first biodiesel burned in Adolf Diesel’s new engine in 1913. Agronomists play an important role in the development of biofuels. Biofuels must compete economically with petroleum-based fuels. Agronomists help research and identify the most efficient strategies to grow these crops. Also, agronomists are interested in production practices that could enhance characteristics of crops for biofuels. If celluosic forms of biofuels become a viable possibility, then agronomists will help develop the most efficient crop production systems.