Meghann Jarchow
Meghann Jarchow

Home State/Country:  Minnesota

Degree Sought:  PhD

Home Department:  Agronomy

Major Professor(s):  Matt Liebman

Research Interests:
Most generally, my research will examine using native, perennial polycultures (prairie-like systems) as potential biomass crops.  One component of my research will compare the productivity and growth characteristics of a variety of possible biomass cropping systems, ranging from corn production with grain and stover removal to perennial polycultures. There is a variety of research that has compared biomass cropping systems by conducting meta-analyses of previous studies, but there are few instances where multiple biomass cropping systems have been grown in the same location in a replicated design.  This research should allow us to do a direct comparison among these cropping systems with regard to total productivity and some of the ecological services provided by each system.

A second component of my research will examine the relationship between functional diversity and fertility of perennial cropping systems.  This research is important because the dominant paradigm for perennial cropping systems is monocultures of perennial grasses.  Although monocultures of perennial grasses provide ecological advantages compared to monocultures of annuals plants; such as continual soil cover, reduced soil erosion and nutrient leaching, increased habitat for wildlife, and reduced management requirements once the stands are established; more ecological services could potentially be provided by diverse cropping systems. Additionally, a cropping system that has high functional diversity may use the available resources more efficiently than monocultures.

Because biomass production for conversion into biofuels is still in the research stage (i.e. there are no commercial lignocellulosic biomass plants that are up and running), there is an opportunity to examine multiple cropping systems with an eye towards both productivity and environmental sustainability. Hopefully my research will contribute to the larger body of knowledge regarding potential biomass cropping systems options.

E-Mail:   mjarchow@iastate.edu