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Can renewable energy sources power the world?
Can renewable energy sources power the world?

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4.2 Cellulosic materials

The structural integrity of non-woody (i.e. herbaceous) plants is provided mainly by cellulose, which is a major component of the straw and other supporting tissues of all the major food crops.

The most common cellulosic bioenergy crop for temperate climates is the tall grass miscanthus.

Harvesting miscanthus using conventional agricultural machinery
Figure 6 Harvesting miscanthus using conventional agricultural machinery

Other common plants that may be suited to production of cellulosic biomass are:

  • bracken
  • Gunnera
  • kelp
  • water hyacinth.

What other crops can be used? You’ll find out in the next section.