According to Goudriaan et al. (1991) and Nonhebel (1997),
a crop suited to produce energy in the form of lignocellulosic
biomass should possess the following key attributes: (i) a
long growing season, starting early in spring and ending late
in autumn; (ii) a high daily crop growth rate (CGR), maintained
over a long period; (iii) perennial crop, with nutrients
and carbon flowing alternatively to belowground and aboveground
plant organs.