Abstract
Miscanthus × giganteus is a giant C4 grass native to Asia. Unlike most C4 species, it is relatively cold tolerant due to adaptations across a wide range of altitudes. These grasses are characterized by high productivity and low input requirements, making them excellent candidates for bioenergy feedstock production. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential for growing Miscanthus on extremely marginal soils, degraded by open lignite (brown coal) mining. Field experiments were established within three blocks situated on waste heaps originating from the lignite mine. Analyses were conducted over the first 3 years following Miscanthus cultivation, focusing on the effect of organic and mineral fertilization on crop growth, development and yield in this extreme environment. The following levels of fertilization were implemented between the blocks: the control plot with no fertilization (D0), a plot with sewage sludge (D1), a plot with an identical amount of sewage sludge plus one dose of mineral fertilizer (D2) and a plot with an identical amount of sewage sludge plus a double dose of mineral fertilizer (D3). Crop development and characteristics (plant height, tillering, and biomass yield [dry matter]) were measured throughout the study period and analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Significant differences were apparent between plant development and 3rd year biomass production over the course of the study (0.964 kg plant-1 for DO compared to 1.503 kg plant-1 for D1). Soil analyses conducted over the course of the experiment showed that organic carbon levels within the soil increased significantly following the cultivation of Miscanthus, and overall, pH decreased. With the exception of iron, macronutrient concentrations remained stable throughout. The promising yields and positive effects of Miscanthus on the degraded soil suggests that long term plantations on land otherwise unsuitable for agriculture may prove to be of great environmental and economic significance.
Highlights
There is growing European and global interest in the share of green energy within the overall energy budget of member states
Growth and yield potential of the Miscanthus × giganteus (M×g) plants was assessed during the period from May 2012 to February 2015 at field trials established in reclaimed areas of waste heaps at the Adamów open lignite mine near Turek
The most evident exception to this was the levels of Fe; these significantly decreased between years one and three (Figure 2). This current study presents the results of a simple yield and trait development trial investigating the impact of fertilizer treatment on the performance of M×g cultivated on reclaimed brown coal mining sites
Summary
There is growing European and global interest in the share of green energy within the overall energy budget of member states. In accordance with the recommendations of the European Commission, the European Union agreed to an increased contribution to total energy from renewables to on average of 20% by 2020 (The European Parliament, and the council of the European Union, 2009) Of this 20%, 60% is to be sourced from perennial energy crops (e.g., Miscanthus, willow, poplar, etc.), without impacting on food production. This implies that such energy crops are to be grown on more marginal agricultural land (FAO, 1999; Hastings et al, 2009; Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, 2014), typically of poor quality and unsuitable for conventional crop cultivation. The reclamation process for such areas can be extremely challenging and prolonged since soils in those heaps are mineral, sterile rocks lacking the organic layer required to provide an optimal environment for plant growth and development
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
