Performance of draught resistant California agave spp. for biochemical conversion to fuel ethanol

Agave is a drought resistant species that is known to possess high water use efficiency and a low lignin content, yet is capable of high productivity comparable to those of other energy crops (i.e., Miscanthus giganteus, switchgrass, and Populus).  These physiological advantages render the plant ideal for cultivation in a large portion of the global terrain for biofuel purposes.  California, in particular, appears to be well-suited for these plants in that the State is drought-stricken and covered by large tracts of marginal arid and semi-arid lands that are too dry for food crop production without irrigation.  Furthermore, with its astronomical gasoline consumption of about 15 billion gallons of gasoline per year and an ambitious green agenda to curtail greenhouse gas emissions, California would benefit from successful conversion of agave for production of biofuels.  This project focuses on taking advantage of the unique features of agave, specifically those species native to the State, to determine their suitability for biochemical conversion to ethanol with minimal to no pretreatment.