PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Oregon State University has gotten a $1.4 million federal grant to do work on plant genetics research aimed at poplar trees that could grow on marginal land not suitable for crops and provide biomass for energy.

The grant was announced Wednesday. The U.S. Energy Department said it was among eight projects worth $10 million aimed at improving biofuel feedstocks through genetics research. It said $70 million has gone into the effort since 2006.