Research Shows Beets Make Clean Biofuels

Energy beets are a developing non-food crop that can be an economical source of sugars for biofuel and chemical production. Research at North Dakota State University found that fermentable sugars stored as raw, thick juice have a carbon footprint that is about 30 percent and 50 percent lower than beet and corn grain, respectively. Beet ethanol could enable a GHG reduction of up to 57 percent, qualifying as an advanced biofuel.

NIFA originally published this impact in the NIFA 2017 Annual Report. Want to read about more impacts like this? Check out Fresh from the Field, a weekly bulletin showcasing transformative impacts made by grantees funded by NIFA.

Topic

Natural Resources,

Plants,

Crop Production,

Natural Resource Economics,

Farming and Ranching,

Sustainable Agriculture,

Agriculture Technology,

Bioenergy

U.S. States and Territories

North Dakota