ABSTRACT
Introduction First generation biofuels, such as ethanol, produced from starch or sugar, are a mature industry in the US, where starch from maize has driven the industry. Limited availability of corn starch can increase prices of food and feed for livestock, particularly in years with poor growing conditions like the dry summer of 2012. Next-generation biofuels produced from lignocellulosic materials can be produced through two routes: biochemical and thermochemical. Current research indicates that the optimal plant ideotype for these conversion platforms differs signifi cantly. The stalks
and leaves left behind after harvest of maize, known as stover, have been identifi ed as a promising lignocellulosic feedstock for next generation biofuels.
