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Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) has been identified as a potential biomass crop in North America. A two-year study was conducted to characterize leaf area development and estimate radiation-use efficiency (RUE) of switchgrass in eastern Canada. Three cultivars, Cave-in-Rock (CIR), Pathfinder (PF) and Sunburst (SB) were grown in solid stands in a randomized complete block design. Dry matter (DM) yield, leaf area development and light interception were monitored bi-weekly throughout the growing season. Herbage subsamples were hand separated into leaf and sheath-stem fractions. Mean seasonal maximum leaf area indices (LAI) were 6.1, 5.3 and 5.1 for CIR, PF and SB, respectively. By early July of each season the canopies were intercepting about 90% of the incoming light. End of season DM yields were 12.2, 11.5 and 10.6Mg ha⁻¹ for CIR, PF and SB, respectively. The stem plus leaf sheaths …