Growth and fecundity of fertile Miscanthus × giganteus (“PowerCane”) compared to feral and ornamental Miscanthus sinensis in a common garden experiment: Implications for invasion

Abstract

Perennial grasses are promising candidates for bioenergy crops, but species that can escape cultivation and establish self‐sustaining naturalized populations (feral) may have the potential to become invasive. Fertile Miscanthus × giganteus, known as “PowerCane,” is a new potential biofuel crop. Its parent species are ornamental, non‐native Miscanthus species that establish feral populations and are sometimes invasive in the USA. As a first step toward assessing the potential for “PowerCane” to become invasive, we documented its growth and fecundity relative to one of its parent species (Miscanthus sinensis) in competition with native and invasive grasses in common garden experiments located in Columbus, Ohio and Ames, Iowa, within the targeted range of biofuel cultivation. We conducted a 2‐year experiment to compare growth and reproduction among three Miscanthus biotypes—”PowerCane,” ornamental M. sinensis, and feral M. sinensis—at two locations. Single Miscanthus plants were subjected to competition with a native grass (Panicum virgatum), a weedy grass (Bromus inermis), or no competition. Response variables were aboveground biomass, number of shoots, basal area, and seed set. In Iowa, all Miscanthus plants died after the first winter, which was unusually cold, so no further results are reported from the Iowa site. In Ohio, we found significant differences among biotypes in growth and fecundity, as well as significant effects of competition. Interactions between these treatments were not significant. “PowerCane” performed as well or better than ornamental or feral M. sinensis in vegetative traits, but had much lower seed production, perhaps due to pollen limitation. In general, ornamental M. sinensis performed somewhat better than feral M. sinensis. Our findings suggest that feral populations of “PowerCane” could become established adjacent to biofuel production areas. Fertile Miscanthus × giganteus should be studied further to assess its potential to spread via seed production in large, sexually compatible populations.

Cropland‐to‐Miscanthus conversion alters soil bacterial and archaeal communities influencing N‐cycle in Northern China

“…Miscanthus , a perennial native grass with the C 4 photosynthetic pathway (Dufosse et al, 2014), can be considered an excellent energy crop due to its high biomass yields and quality, few maintenance requirements, excellent stand longevity, efficient nutrient recycling, and strong stress resistance, as well as having a wide range of ecological adaptations (McCalmont et al, 2017; Pidlisnyuk et al, 2014; von Cossel et al, 2019). The dense and upright stems of Miscanthus can prevent wind erosion and improve the landscape effects of cultivated land (Evers et al, 2013; Miriti et al, 2017). Its developed root system can prevent water erosion and N leakage into underground water (McCalmont et al, 2017).…”

The impact of alternative land and yield assumptions in herbaceous biomass supply modeling: one‐size‐fits‐all resource assessment?

“…Historically, crop advancements have followed time periods of increasing crop prices. New genotypes have been developed through selective breeding and transgenesis, including both sterile and fertile varieties, yet development has stalled due to lack of demand. New varieties may have entirely different management and yield profiles.…”

Miscanthus x giganteus crop fields hide a genotype of the invasive M. sacchariflorus

“…These nomenclatural uncertainties between taxa and cultivars represent another potential source of the accidental introduction of Msa and Msi into the crop fields of Mxg . Finally, the recent commercialisation of the cultivar Mxg ‘PowerCane’ must be monitored carefully, as its fertility represents a potential future invasive risk (Bonin et al ., ; Miriti et al ., ).…”

“…Nevertheless, agronomists have recently developed polyploid and GMO variants of Mxg to restore the fertility and increase the cost efficiency of Mxg crops (Yu et al ., ; Głowacka et al ., ). If these new fertile genotypes escape towards natural areas, they could severely damage local biodiversity (Baute et al ., ; Miriti et al ., ). In addition, current field research involving new hybrids also called Mxg could increase confusion regarding the genetic identity of cultivated accessions (Clark et al ., ).…”