Abstract
Because of the different opinions regarding nitrogen (N) requirements for Miscanthus × giganteus biomass production, we conducted an experiment with a set dose of nitrogen. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of nitrogen fertilization on the biomass yield, water content, and morphological features of rhizomes and aboveground plant parts in various terms during a growing season over the course of three years (2014–2016) in Lower Silesia (Wroclaw, Poland). The nitrogen fertilization (dose 60 kg/ha and control) significantly affected the number of shoots (p = 0.0018), the water concentration of rhizomes (p = 0.0004) and stems (p = 0.0218), the dry matter yield of leaves (p = 0.0000), and the nitrogen uptake (p = 0.0000). Nitrogen fertilization significantly affected the nitrogen uptake in all plant parts (p = 0.0000). Although low levels of nitrogen appeared to be important in maintaining the maximum growth potentials of mature Miscanthus × giganteus, the small reductions in the above- and belowground biomass production are unlikely to outweigh the environmental costs of applying nitrogen. More studies should use the protocols for the above- and belowground yield determination described in this paper in order to create site- and year-specific fertilizer regimes that are optimized for quality and yield for autumn (green) and spring (delayed) harvests.
Highlights
New technologies, excessive fossil fuel combustion, and future fossil fuel depletion will contribute to permanent changes in the natural environment
Miscanthus has been proposed as a biomass energy crop in Europe [7,8], and its use could increase in the near future, as it is one of the most productive plants among bioenergy crops [9,10,11,12,13]
Nitrogen fertilization had a significant influence on the number of leaves on the shoot (p = 0.0018)
Summary
Excessive fossil fuel combustion, and future fossil fuel depletion will contribute to permanent changes in the natural environment. One of the most pivotal environmental problems is climate change, which is caused by the anthropogenic heating of the atmosphere as a result of rising greenhouse gas concentrations [1,2,3,4,5]. To overcome this difficulty, we must increase the use of renewable energy sources. Miscanthus has been proposed as a biomass energy crop in Europe [7,8], and its use could increase in the near future, as it is one of the most productive plants among bioenergy crops [9,10,11,12,13]. Biomass combustion is regarded to be more beneficial for the environment than fossil fuel combustion [14,15,16]
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