Yield and quality analyses of bioenergy crops grown on a regulatory brownfield

Abstract Agriculture faces unique challenges as increasing world population places unprecedented demands on food, feed, and energy resources. In an effort to become more efficient and sustainable, marginal land, including regulatory brownfields prohibited for food consumption purposes could be utilized for bioenergy crop production. In 2006–2008, we evaluated soybean ( Glycine Max (L.) Merr.), canola ( Brassica napus L. var. napus ), sunflower ( Helianthus annuus L.), and switchgrass ( Panicum virgatum L.) to determine crop suitability for bioenergy production on a regulatory brownfield site. Sites selected for the study included a remediated brownfield site in Rose Township, Oakland County, and a historically cropped agricultural site at East Lansing, Ingham County, serving as the control. Comparisons of biofuel quality components were conducted. The total oil yield of oilseed crops was not significantly different ( p