The Power Plant garden at the National Arboretum in Washington, D.C., displays a variety of plants that may provide a valuable and renewable source of bioenergy for America.
Bioenergy is a renewable energy made available from materials derived from biological sources. Soybeans are a legume native to East Asia and have the potential to be an important oil producing plant for biodiesel fuel. Most of the soybeans planted in the U.S. are for used for edible products. The market price for soybeans has risen as a result of the increased demand for soy and this reduces soybean’s economic competiveness for biodiesel production. Soy biodiesel has better lubricant qualities than petroleum diesel and can add years to an engine’s life while reducing sulfur oxide and sulfate emissions, which contribute to acid rain. This photograph shows soybeans growing in the Power Plant garden at the National Arboretum in Washington, D.C. on August 19, 2008. USDA photo by Bob Nichols.
. Original public domain image from Flickr