Biomass production and energy balance of Miscanthus over a period of 11 years: A case study in a large‐scale farm in Poland

Abstract

Giant miscanthus (Miscanthus × giganteus Greef and Deuter) and Amur silver grass (Miscanthus sacchariflorus Maxim./Hack) are rhizomatous grasses with a C4 photosynthetic pathway that are widely cultivated as energy crops. For those species to be successfully used in bioenergy generation, their yields have to be maintained at a high level in the long term. The biomass yield (fresh and dry matter [DM] yield) and energy efficiency (energy inputs, energy output, energy gain, and energy efficiency ratio) of giant miscanthus and Amur silver grass were compared in a field experiment conducted in 2007–2017 in North‐Eastern Poland. Both species were characterized by high above‐ground biomass yields, and the productive performance of M. × giganteus was higher in comparison with M. sacchariflorus (15.5 vs. 9.3 Mg DM ha−1 year−1 averaged for 1–11 years of growth). In the first year of the experiment, the energy inputs associated with the production of M. × giganteus and M. sacchariflorus were determined at 70.5 and 71.5 GJ/ha, respectively, and rhizomes accounted for around 78%–79% of total energy inputs. In the remaining years of cultivation, the total energy inputs associated with the production of both perennial rhizomatous grasses reached 13.6–15.7 (M. × giganteus) and 16.9–17.5 GJ ha−1 year−1 (M. sacchariflorus). Beginning from the second year of cultivation, mineral fertilizers were the predominant energy inputs in the production of M. × giganteus (78%–86%) and M. sacchariflorus (80%–82%). In years 2–11, the energy gain of M. × giganteus reached 50 (year 2) and 264–350 GJ ha−1 year−1 (years 3–11), and its energy efficiency ratio was determined at 4.7 (year 2) and 18.6–23.3 (years 3–11). The energy gain and the energy efficiency ratio of M. sacchariflorus biomass in the corresponding periods were determined at 87–234 GJ ha−1 year−1 and 6.1–14.3, respectively. Both grasses are significant and environmentally compatible sources of bioenergy, and they can be regarded as potential energy crops for Central‐Eastern Europe.

Energy Properties and Biomass Yield of Miscanthus x Giganteus Fertilized by Municipal Sewage Sludge

“…Miscanthus has a high yield potential within a wide range of environmental conditions and it is characterized by relatively low agronomic requirements. Due to its high resource-use efficiency and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stressors, Miscanthus can be cultivated on marginal land, which plays a minor role in food production [ 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ]. It is a crop that improves soil fertility, reduces erosion, has a positive impact on biodiversity and is resistant to diseases and pests.…”

Potential of Production of Energy Crops in Ukraine and their Processing on Solid Biofuels

“…Giant Miscanthus -a close relative of sugar cane, is directly related to the genus of herbaceous perennial plants of the bluegrass family (cereals). Giant miscanthus is characterized by higher biomass yields and higher energy efficiency of biomass production [Dubis, Jankowski, Załuski, 2019) • can grow for twenty-five years in one place;…”

Solid Biomass Energy Potential as a Development Opportunity for Rural Communities

“…Popular woody energy crops include basket willow (Salix viminalis L.) and grasses such as giant miscanthus (Miscanthus × giganteus J.M. Greef and M. Deuter) [55][56][57]. Miscanthus is a C4 plant which can be grown successfully in various climate conditions.…”