ARS and seed firm examine DDGS potential
Studies by Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists have shown that dried distiller’s grains (DDGs)–coproducts of corn ethanol production–have potential as an organic fertilizer and for weed control. But some ethanol producers are adopting new corn-grinding methods that may affect the DDGs’ usefulness.
To further study DDGs, ARS plant physiologist Steve Vaughn and colleagues
entered into a one-year cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA)
with Summit Seed, Inc., a Manteno, Ill.-based company specializing in turfgrass
production.
America’s ethanol industry generates an estimated 10 million
to 14 million metric tons of DDGs annually from both wet and dry milling of
corn, processes that yield fermentable sugars for conversion into fuel alcohol.
About 75 percent of the DDGs are fed to livestock. But since 2005, Vaughn has
led a team at the ARS National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research
(NCAUR) in Peoria, Ill., to develop new, value-added uses for DDGs.
In
greenhouse and field studies, Vaughn showed that the DDGs can be used as an
organic fertilizer for tomatoes and other crops. Indeed, in 2007, DDG-treated
plots of Roma tomatoes yielded 226 total pounds of fruit, versus 149 pounds from
untreated plants. And in turfgrass trials, the DDGs stopped annual bluegrass and
other weed seeds from germinating in stands of Kentucky bluegrass.
But
now, with more ethanol plants using dry-grinding methods, the DDGs, germ and
fiber fractions are generated before–rather than after–corn sugars are
fermented into ethanol. Determining how this new practice changes the DDGs’
biochemical and physical properties is a chief focus of ARS’ CRADA with Summit
Seed.
Vaughn’s ARS colleagues are Jill Winkler, Kathy Rennick, Fred
Eller, Mark Berhow and Brent Tisserat–all with NCAUR in Peoria–and Rick
Boydston and Hal Collins, both with ARS in Prosser, Wash.
Related websites:
ARS
CRADA
Summit Seed Inc.
Related
folder:
Dossier AllAbout Bio Energy
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