Abstract
AbstractMiscanthus is a C4 perennial grass originating from East Asia, the yields of which progressively increase in the first years of growth. Several species for bioenergy have been studied since the mid‐1980s in Europe, in particular (Miscanthus × giganteus [M. × giganteus]), due to its high yields. M. × giganteus is mainly cultivated in France and established from rhizomes. Our study aimed to assess, in field conditions, alternative establishment methods combined with an alternative species, Miscanthus sinensis (M. sinensis). We set up a multi‐environment experimental network. On each trial, we tested two treatments with M. × giganteus, established from rhizomes (G_r‐sd) and from plantlets obtained from rhizomes (G_p‐sd), and two treatments with M. sinensis seedlings transplanted in single (S_p‐sd) and double density (S_p‐dd). ANOVA was performed to compare establishment and regrowth rates across treatments, as well as yields across treatments and site‐years. A logistic model was used to describe yield trends and to compare the maximum yield reached and the rate of yield increase of both species. Results showed that miscanthus establishment from plantlets resulted in higher establishment (between 87% and 92%) and regrowth (between 91% and 94%) rates compared to establishment from rhizomes. Treatments with M. × giganteus obtained higher average yields across site‐years than those with M. sinensis, but more variable yields across site‐years. We showed a strong species effect on yields, yield components (shoot weight, shoot density and shoot number per plant) and light interception (through leaf area index). Lastly, to use M. sinensis established from transplanted plantlets as an alternative to M. × giganteus, research would be required on the breeding of M. sinensis sterile seeds to avoid risks of invasiveness.
Highlights
Miscanthus is a C4 perennial grass from East Asia, several species of which have been studied since the mid-1980s in Europe (Lewandowski, Scurlock, Lindvall, & Christou, 2003) and in the United States (Heaton, Dohleman, & Long, 2008)
Our study aims to assess the effect of several modes of establishment of M. × giganteus and M. sinensis on yield and yield trends under field conditions and various environments in the north and centre of France
The analysis consisted of two steps: (a) we analysed the effect of treatments on establishment rate, regrowth rate, yield and yield components across site-years; and (b) we modelled the temporal evolution of yields to compare yield trends between treatments
Summary
Miscanthus is a C4 perennial grass from East Asia, several species of which have been studied since the mid-1980s in Europe (Lewandowski, Scurlock, Lindvall, & Christou, 2003) and in the United States (Heaton, Dohleman, & Long, 2008). The use of rhizomes often results in a low establishment rate because the quality of the rhizomes is not easy to check: rhizome quality depends on the rhizome harvesting period, harvesting technology, storage time between harvesting and planting, storage conditions and rhizome size (Xue et al, 2015) This low establishment rate leads to additional costs for the extra supply of rhizomes, or else to lower yields. × giganteus and M. sinensis were studied to find alternatives to the establishment from rhizomes (Atkinson, 2009; Xue et al, 2015; Xue, Lewandowski, & Kalinina, 2017). × giganteus, could achieve more stable yields under various soil and climate conditions It could, be interesting to explore new establishment methods to overcome the problems raised by the establishment from rhizomes. Our study aims to assess the effect of several modes of establishment of M. × giganteus and M. sinensis on yield and yield trends under field conditions and various environments in the north and centre of France
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