Growing Energy Data Nugget

What is the independent variable?

(a)crop, and (b)location (WI or MI)

What is the scientific question?

Are any perennial crops a good alternative to corn for biofuel production, and if so, why? How does the location of biomass production affect the outcome?

Make a claim about this question: Are any perennial crops a good alternative to corn for biofuel production, and if so, why?

Miscanthus and poplar trees show potential to compete with corn biomass production

What is a hypothesis?

Perennials grow back year after year without replanting. Thus, they require much less chemical fertilizers and pesticides to grow, and require less fossil fuel powered equipment to maintain them. Because of these advantages, perennials could make a viable alternative to corn as a source of biofuels.

What is the dependent variable?

average biomass (Mg ha-1 yr-1)