Perennializing Grain Crop Agriculture: A Pathway for Climate Change Mitigation & Adaption A white paper for the philanthropic community The Land Institute, Salina, KS February 13, 2020 Perennial grain crops deliver dramatic amounts of carbon to the soil, as illustrated by the extensive root system of intermediate wheatgrass (left) compared to annual wheat (right). Intermediate wheatgrass produces Kernza® perennial grain. Photo: Jim Richardson Authors: Fred Iutzi, MS and Tim Crews, PhD Contact: Timothy Crews, PhD Director of Research, The Land Rachel Stroer, Institute
[email protected] Acting President, The Land Institute
[email protected] The Land Institute, 2440 E. Water Well Rd., Salina, KS 67401 www.landinstitute.org 785-823-5376 1 CONTENTS Contents .............................................................................................................................................................. 2 Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................................ 3 Climate change mitigation & adaptation through perennial grain crops – non-technical narrative.............................................................................................................................................................. 4 Perennializing grain crops is a major untapped carbon sequestration opportunity ....... 4 How perennial grains can sequester large amounts of carbon in the soil ............................ 5 Transformational benefits