Abstract
Arundo donax (giant reed) is an herbaceous, perennial and non-food crop producing dry biomass with relatively high yields in many regions and under different climates. Although there exists a large amount of literature on A. donax, the economic aspects are somehow neglected or are very much limited in most papers. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to analyse the economics of A. donax by applying a systematic literature review of the field. Our sample consists of 68 relevant studies out of the 6009 identified, classified into four groups: Bioenergy, agronomy, invasiveness and phytoremediation. Most papers were focusing on Italy and on the Mediterranean region and were written on the bioenergy aspect. Most studies suggest that A. donax has a relatively high energy balance and yields, high investment but low maintenance costs and high potentials for phytoremediation of contaminated soils. However, a certain section of the literature, mainly based on US experience, shows that giant reed should be produced with care due to its invasiveness hazard. On the whole, A. donax was found to have high economic potentials for biomass production in marginal as well as disadvantageous lands operated by small farmers in the Mediterranean region.
Highlights
Arundo donax L. is an herbaceous, rhizomatous perennial and non-food crop producing dry biomass with relatively high yields with lower agronomic inputs requirement compared to the traditional crops
Among crops produced in European agricultural systems, Arundo donax had the best characteristics among perennial crops, followed by Miscanthus giganteus
Giant reed can be considered sustainable in terms of economics and social development, because of the invasiveness the environmental aspects should considered
Summary
Arundo donax L. (common name giant reed or giant cane) is an herbaceous, rhizomatous perennial and non-food crop producing dry biomass with relatively high yields with lower agronomic inputs requirement compared to the traditional (bioenergy) crops. (common name giant reed or giant cane) is an herbaceous, rhizomatous perennial and non-food crop producing dry biomass with relatively high yields with lower agronomic inputs requirement compared to the traditional (bioenergy) crops. The plant is propagated mostly by in vitro or hydroponic methods [1]. It has Asian origins, the species is globally dispersed and is cultivated in many regions and under different climates. The plant tolerates diverse ecological and soil conditions and is resistant to most pests, which makes its production attractive [2]. A. donax has great biomass potential requiring lower input level while a wide range of climatic conditions and soil types (even polluted) is suitable for its production
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