Shoot density of Miscanthus sinensis populations in different habitats and their maintenance mechanisms in relation to shoot growth

Abstract

How perennial grass populations are maintained in different climates is poorly understood at the level of individual shoots (ramets). During the years 1982-1987 and 1991-1993, measurements of shoot dynamics and growth in populations of a clonal grass, Miscanthus sinensis, were made at two sites in Japan that differed by approximately 5 °C in mean temperature. While annual shoot births were very stable during the period 1982-1987 at both sites, the number of flowering shoots fluctuated cyclically every year. The clonal propagation of shoots was size-independent, whereas the reproduction (flowering) of shoots was size-dependent and negatively affected their own offspring size. Shoot size negatively affected the overwintering of shoots. In the warm climate with a long growing period (9 months), both early-emerging shoots and the subsequent high order tillering shoots developed in large numbers. In the cool climate with a short growing period (6 months), more than half of the annual births occurred in August and September. Nevertheless, average longevity and wintering competency of shoots were not greatly different between the two populations. In response to a warmer climate, tillerings started earlier. This appeared to increase the total number of new shoots that would die within the year; nevertheless, the shoot densities remained much higher because a longer growing season would increase the number of high order tillerings. There was thus a trade-off between the annual survival ratio of new shoots and the number of annual shoot births.

Evaluation of the Effects of Using the Giant Miscanthus (Miscanthus × Giganteus) Biomass in Various Energy Conversion Processes

“…However, the experiment aimed to protect the soil from erosion and create a compact, turfed strip. The results of our own research confirms the ability of this species to self-regulate the number of shoots, as written by other authors [48,54,55]. Other biometric parameters: shoot height and thickness as well as root length in the third year of vegetation reached parameters similar to those reported in the literature [2,9].…”

Evaluating the Effects of Climatic Parameters on Growth and Biomass Production of <i>Miscanthus</i> in Climate Conditions of Southern Slovakia

“…4d). The authors [21] published research of shoot growth in the Miscanthus sinensis population under various climatic conditions. They confirmed the influence of climatic conditions during the vegetation period on the density and height of the shoots.…”

Spring emergence and canopy development strategies in miscanthus hybrids in Mediterranean, continental and maritime European climates

“…This breeding strategy aims to maximise the active growth period (period in which crop biomass increases) within the vegetation period. The active growth period is defined by miscanthus biomass models as either: (1) the period between the last day of frost in spring and the first frost event in autumn (Clifton‐Brown et al, 2000; Hastings et al, 2009), or (2) days with an average daily temperature above 10°C (Kobayashi & Yokoi, 2017; Kotrla & Prcik, 2013, 2020). However, early emergence is only an effective strategy if the new shoots are not killed by late spring frosts (frost occurring at the beginning of the vegetation period).…”