Planting density impact on weed infestation and the yield of Miscanthus grown on two soil types

Abstract

The assessment of the weed infestation effect on biomass yield of Miscanthus × giganteus in the first year of its commercial yield was conducted on two types of soil with different productive ability – Luvic Chernozem and Calcic Gleysol. The formed mass of weeds was higher on Luvic Chernozem and the infestation had grown according to the stages of Miscanthus growth. The biomass of weeds depended on the planting density of Miscanthus as well as on the weather conditions during the studied years. Weed infestation of crops very significantly influenced the formation of aboveground biomass of Miscanthus, so that the yields in the first year of commercial harvesting in the control where the weeds were removed manually were significantly higher compared to the crops in which weeds were not removed. The obtained results showed that weeds significantly affect the initial growth and development of Miscanthus plants that are, in general, slow, especially in the year of the crop establishment. The study evaluates the impact of a manual method of suppression and weed infestation of crops on the commercial yield of Miscanthus.

How to Generate Yield in the First Year—A Three-Year Experiment on Miscanthus (Miscanthus × giganteus (Greef et Deuter)) Establishment under Maize (Zea mays L.)

“…The sowing density of maize is seen as major determinant for a successful establishment of miscanthus. Due to low competitiveness of miscanthus during the first two years after establishment [36], a reduction in maize sowing density to 5 kernels m −2 could likely help to reduce the light and water deficits of miscanthus and allow an improved miscanthus establishment in the first year. Similar results were reported for both intercropping maize with common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) [38,64,65] and the successful establishment of cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum L.) under maize [66].…”

“…Additionally, the intercropping of miscanthus and maize is expected to have socio-ecological benefits such as soil protection (reduced tillage intensity over time, because maize and miscanthus 'share' soil preparation in the same year), groundwater protection (less herbicide application) and protection of ground-breeding birds (less ground predator activity) [34]. Although miscanthus has been found to be suitable for establishment in grassland systems [35], it remains unclear whether this is also true of establishment under maize or whether the competitive pressure from maize is too high for a successful miscanthus establishment [36].The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of intercropping miscanthus with a second crop during the establishment year. Maize was chosen here as second crop because it has a similar physiology to miscanthus (both C4 grasses), a range of herbicides can be applied to both crops and the miscanthus-maize mix can be ensiled for use as biogas substrate [23].…”

“…Additionally, the intercropping of miscanthus and maize is expected to have socio-ecological benefits such as soil protection (reduced tillage intensity over time, because maize and miscanthus 'share' soil preparation in the same year), groundwater protection (less herbicide application) and protection of ground-breeding birds (less ground predator activity) [34]. Although miscanthus has been found to be suitable for establishment in grassland systems [35], it remains unclear whether this is also true of establishment under maize or whether the competitive pressure from maize is too high for a successful miscanthus establishment [36].…”

Influence of fertilization on Miscanthus × giganteus (Greef et Deu) yield and biomass traits in three experiments in Serbia

“…At two locations in Serbia, influence of weeds on miscanthus yield has been investigated recently (Maksimović et al 2016). Weed infestation causes a strong decrease of miscanthus yield (i.e.…”

Production of Agri-Energy Crop Miscanthus gigantheus on Land Degraded by Power Industry: SWOT Analysis

“…Investments in the plantation of miscanthus production is the highest in the first year of canopy establishment and amounts in EUR: for raw materials 0,15/rhizome x 10 000 pieces/ha = 1500, fertilizer 0.40/kg x 150 kg/ha = 60, herbicide 60.2; for conventional soil processing (plowing, seedbed preparation, fertilizing, planting, intercropping) 195 or total of 1815 EUR/ha of direct costs. In the first year after founding, yields are small and the harvest does not make sense; in the second year yields were about half of yields in the coming years (from the third to the 20 th ) [29,41,42], when the costs only apply to the harvest and amounts: for mechanical harvest by forage harvesters 93, for transport up to 20 km 40. Costs are given roughly on the basis of 2017 prices.…”