Abstract: An energy crop with a tremendous potential, Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) , has been gradually used as a model plant for the related research.Recently, genetic methods were applied to select the genotypes with high biomass, low lignin, high ethanol conversion rate and resistance in order to improve its applications in the are a of biological energy.The present paper attempted to provide relevant references for the future development on the breeding of switchgrass.The functional genes that might be applicable for the enhancement of the biomass production, the saccharification efficiency, and/or the resistance to stresses, as well as related genetic methods are included.