Abstract
The first replicated productivity trials of the C4 perennial grass Miscanthus × giganteus in the United States showed this emerging ligno-cellulosic bioenergy feedstock to provide remarkably high annual yields. This covered the 5 years after planting, leaving it uncertain if this high productivity could be maintained in the absence of N fertilization. An expected, but until now unsubstantiated, benefit of both species was investment in roots and perennating rhizomes. This study examines for years 5-7 yields, biomass, C and N in shoots, roots, and rhizomes. The mean peak shoot biomass for M. × giganteus in years 5-7 was 46.5 t ha-1 in October, declining to 38.1 t ha-1 on completion of senescence and at harvest in December, and 20.7 t ha-1 declining to 11.3 t ha-1 for Panicum virgatum. There was no evidence of decline in annual yield with age. Mean rhizome biomass was significantly higher in M. × giganteus at 21.5 t ha-1 compared to 7.2 t ha-1 for P. virgatum, whereas root biomass was similar at 5.6-5.9 t ha-1. M. × giganteus shoots contained 339 kg ha-1 N in August, declining to 193 kg ha-1 in December, compared to 168 and 58 kg ha-1 for P. virgatum. The results suggest substantial remobilization of N to roots and rhizomes, yet still a substantial loss with December harvests. The shoot and rhizome biomass increase of 33.6 t ha-1 during the 2-month period between June and August for M. × giganteus corresponds to a solar energy conversion of 4.4% of solar energy into biomass, one of the highest recorded and confirming the remarkable productivity potential of this plant.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 534-544 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | GCB Bioenergy |
Volume | 4 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Sep 2012 |
Keywords
- Bioenergy
- Biofuel
- C4 photosynthesis
- Nitrogen use efficiency
- Photosynthetic efficiency
- Rhizome
- Roots
- Solar energy conversion efficiency
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Forestry
- Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
- Agronomy and Crop Science
- Waste Management and Disposal