Seasonal Dynamics of Dry Matter Accumulation and Nutrients in a Mature Miscanthus × giganteus Stand in the Lower Silesia Region of Poland

Abstract

Biomass from M. × giganteus has great promise for use within the bioeconomy sectors, but to maximise environmental benefits, crops must produce high yields while minimising energetically costly inputs. Complex interactions between soil conditions, climatic variations, plant maturity and genotype influence yields and nutrient dynamics, which in turn impacts crop sustainability. To investigate the flux of growth and nutrients in response to a changing environment, M. × giganteus was grown in southwest Poland and sampled monthly (June–November) from 2010 to 2012. Measurements examined the interaction between plant growth and leaf development, and nutrient (N, P, K, Ca and Mg) concentrations of rhizomes, stems and leaves. The three growth years studied were markedly different for growth and meteorological conditions. Between 2010 and 2011, above ground biomass yield increased significantly from 16.5 ± 0.4 t ha−1 to 20.1 ± 0.5 t ha−1. The 2012 rhizome weights at the beginning of the growth season were halved due to extreme frost; however, resulting yield was similar (19.9 ± 0.6 5 t ha−1). Final yield from all three years were successfully predicted using MISCANFOR, and modelling indicated crop yield was water-limited. The seasonal flux of N and K from rhizome to stems and leaves then back to the rhizome at the onset of senescence was as expected in 2010 and 2011. In 2012, no such trend was evident especially for N suggesting different macronutrient sources from rhizome and soil improves the resilience of perennial crop yield across a range of diverse growth conditions.

Site impacts nutrient translocation efficiency in intraspecies and interspecies miscanthus hybrids on marginal lands

“…This paper expands on earlier studies on the seasonal dynamics of nutrient contents in miscanthus (Beale & Long, 1997; Gołąb‐Bogacz et al, 2021; Heaton et al, 2009; Himken et al, 1997; Jensen et al, 2017; Mos et al, 2021; Nassi o Di Nasso et al, 2011; Smith & Slater, 2011) by (1) including very diverse, novel, recently bred miscanthus hybrids; (2) extending the geographical distribution of test locations in Europe; and (3) increasing the temporal resolution of standing crop yield and nutrient contents. Key to this study are the common protocols used throughout growth and ripening to identify G × E factors influencing nutrient relocation to (during growth) and from (during senescence) the shoots and their impacts on yield, quality, and sustainability.…”

Optimizing the Design of a Biomass-to-Biofuel Supply Chain Network Using a Decentralized Processing Approach

“…Miscanthus × Giganteus, a perennial energy crop, is assumed to be used for biomass production. Yield rates for Miscanthus × Giganteus on monthly basis were adapted from Mos et al [32] (see Figure 2) as well as a constant moisture content of 20% [33]. The period under study begins considering that Miscanthus cultivation has reached the maturity phase [34] and the construction of any facilities is finalized.…”