Potential and possibilities of genetically modified switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) for high biofuel production- A review

Ligno-cellulosic biomass is one of the most promising renewable and clean energy resources to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on fossil fuels. However, the resistance to accessibility of sugars embedded in plant cell walls (so-called recalcitrance) is a major barrier to economically viable cellulosic ethanol production. A recent report from the US National Academy of Sciences indicated that, “absent technological breakthroughs”, it was unlikely that the US would meet the congressionally mandated renewable fuel standard of 35 billion gallons of ethanol-equivalent biofuels with 1 billion gallons of biodiesel by 2022. In this context, genetically engineered switchgrass may provides a novel system for understanding cell wall recalcitrance as well as provides new germplasm for developing switchgrass cultivars as biomass feed stocks for biofuel production. By keeping these things in mind and to promote the research in this area, properties of genetically engineered switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) biomass for cellulosic ethanol production have been reviewed.