Abstract
The Miscanthus genus of perennial grasses is grown for bioenergy and biorenewable feedstocks. Most Miscanthus crop is M × giganteus which is rhizome propagated and therefore difficult to multiply at large scale. Seed-based propagation of new hybrids is being developed, but Miscanthus is difficult to establish from seed especially in the field. Miscanthus is often grown on marginal land adding to the challenge of successfully establishing the crop. Improved understanding of the limits and biology of germination in Miscanthus species is needed. Seed germination is affected by physical and chemical factors that impact germination differently depending on level of exposure. In this investigation of Miscanthus germination, four hormones plus water stress were investigated and the range over which these factors affect germination was determined. An efficient Taguchi experimental design was used to assess the five factors in combination with the effects of light and seed priming. This determined an example of a set of optimum conditions for Miscanthus germination and demonstrated how this could change based on fixing one condition. The experiment showed how environmental stress impacted germination and how treatments such as gibberellic acid could be used to mitigate stress.
Highlights
The Miscanthus genus of perennial grasses is grown for bioenergy and biorenewable feedstocks
This genotype would be of M. sinensis, M. sacchariflorus or a interspecies hybrid, Miscanthus seeds are harvested from panicles[5]
Levels of each factor were chosen to cover the full spectrum of effects; light and water stress were not tested at as many points as would have been optimal, in order to keep to a small L16 design
Summary
The Miscanthus genus of perennial grasses is grown for bioenergy and biorenewable feedstocks. An efficient Taguchi experimental design was used to assess the five factors in combination with the effects of light and seed priming This determined an example of a set of optimum conditions for Miscanthus germination and demonstrated how this could change based on fixing one condition. A broad understanding of the physical and hormonal interactions on Miscanthus seed germination and early growth is important to improve both seed-based multiplication and to identify novel treatments to increase crop establishment on marginal land.
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