Assessment of variability in biomass yield and quality: what is an adequate size of sampling area for miscanthus?

Knörzer, Heike; Hartung, Karin; Piepho, Hans‐Peter; Lewandowski, Iris

doi:10.1111/gcbb.12027

Cited by 23 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…The number of columns in the DAFM trials increased with increasing number of cultivars, clearly increasing the potential for fine-scale variation and decreasing the ability of the RCBD to control variation at this scale. Although several uniformity trials (Knörzer et al, 2013) suggest the importance of large plots in controlling field heterogeneity, smaller plots can be more efficient than larger plots because of the ability of spatial analyses to capture variation on a relatively fine scale (Casler, 2013). The low frequency of Col covariate models in NNA analysis and high frequency of R2 models in trend analysis support plausible largescale variation among the rows, as well.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial Variability Effects on Precision and Power of Forage Yield Estimation

Sripathi

Conaghan

Grogan³

et al. 2017

Crop Science

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Spatial analyses of yield trials allow adjustment of cultivar means for spatial variation, improving the statistical precision of yield estimation. While the relative efficiency of spatial analysis has been frequently reported in several yield trials, its application to long‐term Lolium spp. forage yield trials has not been characterized. The objective of this study was to evaluate the trend analysis, nearest‐neighbor analysis (NNA), and correlated error (CE) models for their ability to account for spatial variability in 138 Lolium spp. forage yield trials. This case study was performed on data from five locations and 11 yr (2001–2011) using randomized complete block design (RCBD) trials conducted by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine (DAFM) in Ireland. The relative efficiencies of trend, NNA, and CE models compared with RCBD models were 129, 143, and 193% for analysis by trial × year, and 121, 125, and 171% for analysis by trial, respectively. When the top one, two, three, four, or five cultivar(s) were compared between CE and RCBD models, the agreement between two models to find common cultivars varied from 66% for the top cultivar to 28% for the top five cultivars. Using CE models, four replicates were sufficient to detect mean yield differences between cultivars of 7% of the mean and 80% power. Spatial analysis should be added to the routine DAFM testing programs, not only to improve the precision of yield estimates, but also to reduce the risk of missing potential candidate cultivars, given the existence of spatial variation.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial Variability Effects on Precision and Power of Forage Yield Estimation

Sripathi

Conaghan

Grogan³

et al. 2017

Crop Science

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“…In total, the sampling area for counting and measuring of Miscanthus shoots was thus 8 m 2 per field, which is in excess of the recommended 5.6 m 2 for estimation of biomass yields in Miscanthus determined by Knörzer et al . (). All Miscanthus shoots within each area were counted.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 97%

Yield‐biodiversity trade‐off in patchy fields of Miscanthus × giganteus

Dauber¹,

Cass

Gabriel³

et al. 2014

GCB Bioenergy

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Increasing crop productivity to meet rising demands for food and energy, but doing so in an environmentally sustainable manner, is one of the greatest challenges for agriculture to date. In Ireland, Miscanthus 9 giganteus has the potential to become a major feedstock for bioenergy production, but the economic feasibility of its cultivation depends on high yields. Miscanthus fields can have a large number of gaps in crop cover, adversely impacting yield and hence economic viability. Predominantly positive effects of Miscanthus on biodiversity reported from previous research might be attributable to high crop patchiness, particularly during the establishment phase. The aim of this research was to assess crop patchiness on a field scale and to analyse the relationship between Miscanthus yield and species richness and abundance of selected taxa of farmland wildlife. For 14 Miscanthus fields at the end of their establishment phase (4-5 years after planting), which had been planted either on improved grassland (MG) or tilled arable land (MT), we determined patchiness of the crop cover, percentage light penetration (LP) to the lower canopy, Miscanthus shoot density and height, vascular plants and epigeic arthropods. Plant species richness and noncrop vegetation cover in Miscanthus fields increased with increasing patchiness, due to higher levels of LP to the lower canopy. The species richness of ground beetles and the activity density of spiders followed the increase in vegetation cover. Plant species richness and activity density of spiders on both MT and MG fields, as well as vegetation cover and activity density of ground beetles on MG fields, were negatively associated with Miscanthus yield. In conclusion, positive effects of Miscanthus on biodiversity can diminish with increasing productivity. This matter needs to be considered when assessing the relative ecological impacts of developing biomass crops in comparison with other land use.

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“…−13 t ha −1 y −1 DM; average annual precipitation of 690 mm; average temperature 7.9 °C; 0 kg N; soils: classified as haplic luvisols with moderate drainage and a stone content of around 1%, silty clay texture (approx.40% clay) over loess (Knörzer et al ., )…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Even though numerous, different plant species would allow biomass production, this potential in biological diversity is currently not used. In Germany, for example, only two species are currently used in large‐area cultivation, which are rapeseed ( Brassica napus ) for the production of biodiesel and maize ( Zea mays ) for the production of biogas and ethanol (Knörzer et al ., ). A consequence of additional, large‐area cultivation of these energy crops would lead to a further decrease in species as well as cultivar diversity.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…In our study, we focused on Miscanthus × giganteus , a perennial giant grass adapted to temperate climate. Currently, it is mainly used for the production of chaff or pellets in heat generation and partially in combined heat and power systems of different sizes where the energy provided by 2.23 kg dry M. giganteus biomass equals 1 L of light fuel oil (LKÖ ; Pude, ; Knörzer et al ., ). However, also other types of biomass usage are discussed for M. giganteus , which support a renewable, decentralized energy production like lignocellulosic bioethanol production (Heaton et al ., ) or char production by pyrolysis (Collura et al ., ), which could help to reduce CO 2 emission from fossil fuels.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

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Assessing the cultivation potential of the energy crop Miscanthus × giganteus for Germany

2014

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The European Union in general and Germany in particular want to lead the way to substantially expand renewable energies for power production. Considering the extremely ambitious objectives of the German Federal Government, a strong, nationwide increase in cultivating energy crops can be anticipated. However, the expansion of biomass production, which is already in progress, has led to several environmental and ecological objections. Aside from competing for land, for food and feed production, the expansion of monocultures for biomass and biofuel production with a concentration on maize (Zea mays) and rapeseed (Brassica napus) can be problematic for biodiversity conservation. To face these challenges, the provision and cultivation of additional crop species and cultivars for biomass production would help to avoid these problems. The designated energy crop Miscanthus 9 giganteus represents an alternative species for extended biomass production. This giant grass is characterized by a broad range of possible applications and a high potential in producing and providing biomass in a sustainable way. In our study, we conducted a Geographic Information System (GIS)-based analysis of the cultivation potential of M. giganteus in Germany. As a result, we generated digital maps that display preferential regions for the cultivation of M. giganteus where a high productivity and quality of biomass is expected. Combining different climate-and soil-dependent scenarios, a total acreage potential of 4 million ha is predicted for Germany.

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Assessment of variability in biomass yield and quality: what is an adequate size of sampling area for miscanthus?

Cited by 23 publications

References 19 publications

Spatial Variability Effects on Precision and Power of Forage Yield Estimation

Spatial Variability Effects on Precision and Power of Forage Yield Estimation

Yield‐biodiversity trade‐off in patchy fields of Miscanthus × giganteus

Assessing the cultivation potential of the energy crop Miscanthus × giganteus for Germany

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