Genetically modified rutabagas seen as new source of biofuel

Washington Examiner ^ | 08-9-2009 | David Runk

[theruleshavechanged]

Even if rutabagas aren't widely grown in the U.S. for people to eat, rutabagas for biofuel could edge out other food crops.

"If you were to dedicate hundreds of thousands of acres to produce rutabaga for the biofuel sector, in all likelihood farmers would be changing what crops are currently being cultivated on those lands," Faber said.

That could make it a "game changer" in the biofuel industry, he said.

[Bitsy]

They might be on to something here - rutabagas have always given me gas.....Then, what about cabbage? Beans? Califlower? Most of the world is starving and we’re going to grow rutabagas for fuel?

[SpaceBar]

A year or so ago I did a back of the envelope calculation that took the entire combined annual output of palm oil from Malaysia and Indonesia and converted them to an equivalent fuel value of gasoline. The bottom line was that the above quantities of oil would provide US domestic motor vehicle needs for very nearly three weeks. Now consider that those countries cultivate palm oil using forestwide slash-and-burn techniques like it's going out of style with virtually no environmental concerns, have a 365 days/year growing season, and virtually unlimited amounts of rainfall, it illustrates what a pipe dream replacing petroleum with midwest switch grass or fermented corn silage biofuels is. Just ain't gonna happen.

[Cicero]

But what happens if these genetically modified rutabagas take over the world?

[SunkenCiv]

Next up, jicama acreage can be converted into something useful.

[Bigg Red]

Grow your own.

&&&
Great suggestion. I think I will.

[grellis]

If you would like to be added or dropped from the Michigan ping list, please freepmail me.

[r9etb]

IOW, it’s like upping the production of sugar beets....

[r9etb]

it illustrates what a pipe dream replacing petroleum with midwest switch grass or fermented corn silage biofuels is. Just ain't gonna happen.

Just to point out: if you substitute the word "supplement" for "replace," you get a much more viable argument.

[Springman]

Sure I’ll get a job now, planting rutabagas in empty lots in Detroit now!!!!!

[Bigg Red]

I guess you’ve got the dirt on me....