Miscanthus Sacchariflorus Research Articles

Characterization of Miscanthus cell wall polymers.

Efficient utilization of lignocellulosic Miscanthus biomass for the production of biochemicals, such as ethanol, is challenging due to its recalcitrance, which is influenced by the individual plant cell wall polymers and their interactions. Lignocellulosic biomass composition differs depending on several factors, such as plant age, harvest date, organ type, and genotype. Here, four selected Miscanthus genotypes (Miscanthus sinensis, Miscanthus sacchariflorus, Miscanthus × giganteus, Miscanthus sinensis × Miscanthus sacchariflorus hybrid) were grown and harvested, separated into stems and leaves, and characterized for their non‐starch polysaccharide composition and structures, lignin contents and structures, and hydroxycinnamate profiles (monomers and ferulic acid dehydrodimers). Polysaccharides of all genotypes are mainly composed of cellulose and low‐substituted arabinoxylans. Ratios of hemicelluloses to cellulose were comparable, with the exception of Miscanthus sinensis that showed a higher hemicellulose/cellulose ratio. Lignin contents of Miscanthus stems were higher than those of Miscanthus leaves. Considering the same organs, the four genotypes did not differ in their Klason lignin contents, but Miscanthus × giganteus showed the highest acetylbromide soluble lignin content. Lignin polymers isolated from stems varied in their S/G ratios and linkage type distributions across genotypes. p‐Coumaric acid was the most abundant ester‐bound hydroxycinnamte monomer in all samples. Ferulic acid dehydrodimers were analyzed as cell wall cross‐links, with 8‐5‐coupled diferulic acid being the main dimer, followed by 8‐O‐4‐, and 5‐5‐diferulic acid. Contents of p‐coumaric acid, ferulic acid, and ferulic acid dimers varied depending on genotype and organ type. The largest amount of cell wall cross‐links was analyzed for Miscanthus sinensis.

Physiological responses and metal uptake of Miscanthus under cadmium/arsenic stress.

The aim of this study is to explore the impact of cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) stress on physiological indexes and Cd/As uptake ability of Miscanthus, including Miscanthus sacchariflorus A0104, Miscanthus sinensis C0424 and C0640. Cd and As concentration showed significant hormesis effects on some physiological indexes, such as chlorophyll content, net photosynthetic rate, and MDA content. Compared with control group, Cd uptake can be most greatly enhanced by above fourfold with 150mg/kg Cd treatment. As uptake of A0104 was increased by 3 ~ 33 folds with 200mg/kg As treatment, C0424 was increased by 7-12 folds with 100mg/kg As treatment, while C0640 was increased 1 ~ 6 folds with 250mg/kg As treatment. The results also showed that C0640 was relatively better for the Cd remediation in the high Cd concentration (150mg/kg) contaminated soil, while A0104 and C0424 were relatively better for the As remediation in the high As concentration (100 ~ 200mg/kg) contaminated soil. Additionally, significantly (p < 0.05) close correlations were found among physiological indexes (except MDA content), while physiological indexes showed no significant relationship with the heavy metal contents in root, stem, and leaf.

Bio-crude oil production from a new genotype of Miscanthus sacchariflorus Geodae-Uksae 1

A new genotype of Miscanthus sacchariflorus Geodae-Uksae 1, which was recently collected from damp land in South Korea, was pyrolyzed in a bubbling fluidized bed reactor for bio-crude oil production. Comparing to woody biomass this has a remarkably economic advantage of very low water content, because it is collected after naturally dried in autumn. This biomass was ground and sieved to acquire the fine size less than 1 mm and fed into the reactor with feeding rate of 200 g/hr continuously. Four reactor temperatures, 400, 450, 500, and 550 °C were set to investigate the optimal temperature for highest bio-crude oil yield and quality. Proximate and ultimate analyses were done for both biomass and bio-crude oil to scrutinize the property change during the fast pyrolysis. Experimental results showed that the maximum bio-crude oil yield was obtained to be 51.88 wt% at the pyrolysis temperature of 500 °C. The maximum higher heating value (HHV) of bio-crude oil was determined to be 15.88 MJ/kg at 400 °C, which was similar to the original biomass. At the pyrolysis temperature of 400 °C, the moisture content of bio-crude oil was 19.46 wt% which was increased by 8.61 wt% than the original biomass. Overall fuel properties of miscanthus sacchariflorus Gedae-Uksae 1 was thought to be similar to the general woody bio-crude oil.

Influence of soil properties and feedstocks on biochar potential for carbon mineralization and improvement of infertile soils

The impact of biochar (BC) application on soil varies with BC feedstock and soil type. The objective of this study was to investigate the linkage between the properties and surface functionality of various BCs and their role in the rehabilitation of two infertile soils. Sandy loam (SL) and sandy (S) soils were collected from agricultural areas in Korea and Vietnam, respectively. The BCs of amur silvergrass residue (AB), paddy straw (PB), and umbrella tree (UB) were applied to the soils at a rate of 30 t ha−1 and incubated at 25 °C for 90 d. Soil carbon (C) mineralization was investigated by a periodic measurement of CO2 efflux. Soil texture strongly influenced the CO2 efflux more than the BC type as indicated by 2–4 folds increase in cumulative CO2-C efflux from the SL soil compared to that from the S soil. For the PB-, AB-, and UB-treated S soils, the values of cation exchange capacity (CEC) were increased by 906%, 180%, and 130%, respectively, compared to that of the control; however, for the PB-treated SL soil, only a 13% increase in CEC was found. The pH in the PB-treated S soil sharply increased by 4.5 units compared to that in the control, due to a high concentration of readily soluble compounds in the PB and the low buffering capacity of the S soil. The S soil was more sensitive to the addition of BCs than the SL soil. A more prominent improvement in soil fertility can be achieved by BC application to the sandy soil having low clay, nutrient, and organic matter contents.

Study on the Size Reduction Characteristics of Miscanthus sacchariflorus via Image Processing

Size reduction is an important pre-processing operation for utilizing biomass as a sustainable resource in industrial-scale energy production and as a raw material for other industries. This work investigates the size reduction characteristics of air-dried Miscanthus sacchariflorus Goedae-Uksae 1 (Amur silver grass) via image processing and identifies the morphological characteristics of comminuted and screened M. sacchariflorus. At chopping lengths of 18, 40, 80, and 160 mm, 81%, 77%, 78%, and 76% of the particles, respectively, passed through a 4-mm sieve. Even a knife mill with a very small screen aperture (&gt;1 mm) admitted over 10% of the particles. The average circularity and aspect ratio of the particles were &lt;0.30 and &gt;10, respectively. These results confirm that in all preparation modes, most M. sacchariflorus particles were needle-like in shape, irrespective of the type of preparation.

Heavy metal bioaccumulation by Miscanthus sacchariflorus and its potential for removing metals from the Dongting Lake wetlands, China.

Bioaccumulation of five heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb, and Zn) in six plant organs (panicle, leaf, stem, root, rhizome, and bud) of the emergent and perennial plant species, Miscanthus sacchariflorus, were investigated to estimate the plant's potential for accumulating heavy metals in the wetlands of Dongting Lake. We found the highest Cd concentrations in the panicles and leaves; while the highest Cu and Mn were observed in the roots, the highest Pb in the panicles, and the highest Zn in the panicles and buds. In contrast, the lowest Cd concentrations were detected in the stem, roots, and buds; the lowest Cu concentrations in the leaves and stems; the lowest Mn concentrations in the panicles, rhizomes, and buds; the lowest Pb concentrations in the stems; and the lowest Zn concentrations in the leaves, stems, and rhizomes. Mean Cu concentration in the plant showed a positive regression coefficient with plot elevation, soil organic matter content, and soil Cu concentration, whereas it showed a negative regression coefficient with soil moisture and electrolyte leakage. Mean Mn concentration showed positive and negative regression coefficients with soil organic matter and soil moisture, respectively. Mean Pb concentration exhibited positive regression coefficient with plot elevation and soil total P concentration, and Zn concentration showed a positive regression coefficient with soil available P and total P concentrations. However, there was no significant regression coefficient between mean Cd concentration in the plant and the investigated environmental parameters. Stems and roots were the main organs involved in heavy metal accumulation from the environment. The mean quantities of heavy metals accumulated in the plant tissues were 2.2mg Cd, 86.7mg Cu, 290.3mg Mn, 15.9mg Pb, and 307mg Zn per square meter. In the Dongting Lake wetlands, 0.7 × 103kg Cd, 22.9 × 103kg Cu, 77.5 × 103kg Mn, 3.1 × 103kg Pb, and 95.9 × 103kg Zn per year were accumulated by aboveground organs and removed from the lake through harvesting for paper manufacture.

Comparative study on effects of four energy plants growth on chemical fractions of heavy metals and activity of soil enzymes in copper mine tailings

ABSTRACTFour gramineous energy plants, Miscanthus sacchariflorus, M. floridulus, Phragmites australis, and Arundo donax were grown on copper tailings in the field for four years. Their phytoremediation potential was examined in terms of their effects on the fractions of heavy metals and soil enzyme activities. Results showed that plantation of these four gramineous plants has improved the proportion of organic material (OM)-binding fraction of heavy metals in copper tailings as a whole, and reduced the proportion of exchangeable and residual fractions. In particular, M. sacchariflorus growth improved significantly the proportion of the OM-binding fractions of Cu (1.73 times), Cd (1.71 times), Zn (1.18 times), and Pb (3.14 times) (P < 0.05) and reduced markedly the residual fractions of Cu (64.45%), Cd (82.38%), Zn (61.43%), and Pb (73.41%) (P < 0.05). Except for A. donax, the growth of other three energy plants improved the activity of phosphatase, urease and dehydrogenase in copper tailings to some extent. In particular, the activity of soil phosphatase and urease in planted tailings differed significantly from that of control (P < 0.05). The effect of M. sacchariflorus growth on soil enzyme was the highest, followed by P. australis, M. floridulus, and A. donax. The content of each heavy metal fraction in soil was correlated with soil enzyme activities, especially the content of OM-binding fraction, which correlated significantly with the activities of phosphatase, urease and dehydrogenase in soil. According to the effects of four gramineous plants growth on activity of soil enzymes and fractions of heavy metals, M. sacchariflorus had the optimal effects for phytoremediation. Therefore, M. sacchariflorus was a candidate plant with great potential for the revegetation of heavy metal tailings.

Occurrence and Environmentally Friendly Control of Rice Stem Borer, Chilo suppressalis in Amur Silver Grass (Mischanthus sacchariflorus) Plantation

Occurrence and Environmentally Friendly Control of Rice Stem Borer, Chilo suppressalis in Amur Silver Grass (Mischanthus sacchariflorus) Plantation

Hot-water extraction of Miscanthus × giganteus prior to soda-AQ pulping: a biorefining perspective

ABSTRACTAgricultural residues, such as giant miscanthus (Miscanthus × giganteus, a hybrid of Miscanthus sinensis and Miscanthus sacchariflorus), show a great potential for use in lignocellulosic biorefineries. In this study, various hydrolysates were prepared from miscanthus stalks under varying temperatures (140 and 150°C) and reaction times corresponding to P-factors of 50 and 200, prior to undergoing sulfur-free soda-anthraquinone (AQ) pulping (alkali charge 15% and AQ charge 0.05% on oven-dried feedstock) to recover carbohydrate-derived material. During hot-water extraction, a significant mass removal (10%) of the initial miscanthus was obtained at 150°C with a reaction time of 240 min (P-factor 200). Hydrolysates were characterized in terms of pH and the amounts of carbohydrates, volatile acids (acetic and formic acids), and furans. Hot-water extraction also influenced the delignification stage; the highest pulp yield (62%) for the hot-water-extracted miscanthus (at 150°C with a P-factor of 200) was obtained at 165°C with a cooking time of 60 min (effective alkali charge 15% and AQ charge 0.05% on oven-dried feedstock). Results revealed that giant miscanthus is an attractive feedstock for this kind of integrated biorefining.

Overexpression of a Miscanthus sacchariflorus yellow stripe-like transporter MsYSL1 enhances resistance of Arabidopsis to cadmium by mediating metal ion reallocation

The yellow stripe-like (YSL) family of transporters mediates the uptake, translocation, and distribution of various mineral elements in vivo by transferring metal ions chelated with phytosiderophore or nicotianamine (NA). However, little is known about the roles of the YSL genes against cadmium in planta. In this study, we first cloned and characterized a vital member of the YSL gene family, MsYSL1, from the bioenergy plant Miscanthus sacchariflorus. MsYSL1 localized in the plasma membrane and was widely expressed throughout the whole seedling with the highest expression level in the stem. In addition, its expression in the root was stimulated by excess manganese (Mn), cadmium (Cd), and lead, and a shortage of iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), and copper. Functional complementation in yeast indicated that MsYSL1 showed transport activity for Fe(II)–NA and Zn–NA, but not for Cd–NA. Although they exhibited no significant differences versus the wild type under normal cultivation conditions, MsYSL1-overexpressing Arabidopsis lines displayed a higher resistance to Cd accompanied by longer root lengths, lower Cd, Zn, and Mn levels in roots, and higher Cd, Fe, and Mn translocation ratios under Cd stress. Moreover, genes related to NA synthesis, metal translocation, long-distance transport, and Cd exclusion were highly induced in transgenic lines under Cd stress. Thus, MsYSL1 may be an essential transporter for diverse metal–NAs to participate in the Cd detoxification by mediating the reallocation of other metal ions.

Ploidy level and reproductive organ abnormality in interspecific hybrids between tetraploid Miscanthus sacchariflorus and diploid M. sinensis bred from a single cross

M. × giganteus, a hybrid of tetraploid M. sacchariflorus and diploid M. sinensis, is a good bioenergy crop because of its high biomass yield and non-invasiveness in non-native countries. However, this species has a single cultivar that was derived from the same clone, and would, therefore, have higher susceptibility to biotic and abiotic stress. To breed M. × giganteus cultivars, we developed an interspecific crossing method and assessed the breeding efficiency of this method. From the hybrid seeds of 14 crossing combinations, we obtained 323 young plants, of which 290 plants became necrotized during the seedling stage. Of the surviving 33 plants, 12 were assumed to be triploid based on their stomatal length, relative fluorescence intensity values, rhizome elongation, and growth habit, which were similar to those of ‘legacy M. × giganteus’ but were different from M. sacchariflorus and M. sinensis. In the first planting year, four plants headed during the first 10 days of October. Pollen grain size in some hybrid plants was not different from that in the fertile, diploid M. sinensis. The percentage of abnormal pollen and the coefficient of variation of pollen size in all hybrid plants and legacy M. × giganteus were different from those in tetraploid M. sacchariflorus and diploid M. sinensis. At 10 days after flowering, ovules were viable in diploid M. sinensis and tetraploid M. sacchariflorus but aborted in the interspecific hybrid and legacy M. × giganteus. Owing to its sterility, the newly bred Miscanthus interspecific hybrid has low invasion potential, posing minimal threat to the native flora, and is, therefore, suitable for cultivation in non-native countries. These results can be applied to future Miscanthus breeding programs designed to secure the genetic diversity of M. × giganteus and to develop a range of Miscanthus cultivars that can produce high biomass yield under diverse biotic and/or abiotic conditions.

Antioxidant potential of some plants of Brassicaceae Burnett and Poaceae Barnhart

Objective – to estimate the antiradical scavenging ability of extracts of some plants of Brassicaceae Burnett and Poaceae Barnhart. species, to evaluate the total antioxidant activity of plants in the conditions of M.M. Gryshko National Botanical Garden of the NAS of Ukraine. Material and methods. Plant material of this investigation – species, varieties and cultivars of Brassicaceaae and Poaceae families: Brassica campestris f. annua D.C. (BCA), B. campestris f. biennis D.C.× B. napus f. biennis D.C., cv. Innovatsiia (BCBNI), B. campestris f. biennis D.C. × B. rapa L. × B. napus f. biennis D.C. (BCBRBN), B. juncea (L.) Czern. (BJ), B. juncea (L.) Czern. f. biennis, cv. Annushka (BJA), B. napus f. biennis D.C., f. EROF-5 (BNE-5), B. rapa L. (BR), B. rapa subsp. rapifera Metzger (BRR), Raphanus sativus L. var. oleiformis Pers. (RSO), Miscanthus sacchariflorus (Maxim.) Benth., cv. Snihopad (MSS), M. sinensis Anderss. f. ESBMK-6 (MSE-6), Panicum virgatum L. f. PB (PVPB), P. virgatum L. f. PL (PVPL), Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench. f. ETSSDF-11 (SBE-11), S. nigrum Roemer et Schultes f. ETSSCHF-1 (SNE-1), S. saccharatum (L.) Moench. cv. Medove (SSM), S. sudanense (Piper) Stapf (SS), S. technicum (Koern.) Bait. et Trab. (ST). The antioxidant activity of methanol and aqueous extracts based on the discoloration reaction on the solution of DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical) was determined according to Brandt-Williams et al. The determination of content of ascorbic acid was conducted according to V.P. Krishchenko, the content of carotene – according to B.P. Pleshkov. Results. The antioxidant activity of methanol extracts of plants of Brassicaceae was registered in the range from 16.94±0.15 (BCA) to 36.91 ± 0.26 (BRR) % and aqueous extracts – from 26.53 ± 0.34 (BJ) to 65.85 ± 0.30 (RSO) %. This parameter for methanol extracts of Poaceae species was in range from 31.13 ± 0.32 (MSE-6) to 86.48 ± 0.49 (SNE-1) % and aqueous extracts – from 33.10 ± 0.47 (ST) to 83.14 ± 0.46 (PVPB) %. It was determined concentration of ascorbic acid from 118.67 ± 9.90 (BJA) to 566.61 ± 38.37 (BNE-5) mg% and carotene – from 0.48 ± 0.01 (BJA) to 3.11 ± 0.07 (BJ) mg% for Brassicaceae plants. Content of ascorbic acid in range from 11.80 ± 0.85 (PVPB) to 77.39 ± 1.29 (SS) mg% and carotene – from 0.05 ± 0.00 (PVPB) to 0.62 ± 0.02 (PVPL) mg% was identified for Poaceae plants. Conclusions. This study showed that plant raw material of investigated plants is a valuable source of antioxidants and vitamins. Methanol and water extracts of plants of Poaceae had higher antiradical activity against DPPH radical than extracts of plants of Brassicaceae. The higher level of ascorbic acid and carotene was observed in extracts of plants of Brassicaceae. The minimal content of ascorbic acid and carotene found for BJA (Brassicaceae) and PVPB (Poaceae).

Arbuscular mycorrhiza confers lead tolerance and uptake in Miscanthus sacchariflorus

ABSTRACTThe effects of an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) association on the growth, survival capabilities, nutrients and lead (Pb) uptake of Miscanthus sacchariflorus under different Pb concentrations were studied in the form of pot cultures. The treatments comprised inoculation or non-inoculation of the AMF, Gigaspora margarita, and the addition of three Pb concentrations to the soil (0, 100 and 1000 mg kg−1). The addition of Pb significantly decreased mycorrhizal colonisation. The inoculation of AMF with Pb increased chlorophyll content, Fv/Fm, total dry mass, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), total nitrogen, and total phosphorus, whereas H2O2 level, indole-3-acetic acid oxidase (IAAO) activity, and peroxidase (POD) activity were low compared to those in the non-inoculated treatments. Moreover, the application of AMF together with Pb doses induces concentrations of Pb in the plant, where the higher dose of Pb (1000 mg kg−1) induces a lower content of Pb in the aerial part of the plant but a higher content in the root. G. margarita enhanced the tolerance of M. sacchariflorus against Pb toxicity, and facilitated the accumulation of Pb in the plant roots, whereas translocation to the shoots was inhibited at the highest dose Pb (1000 mg kg−1). However, in contaminated soil, the Pb removal capability of M. sacchariflorus with AMF was remarkable.

Miscanthus: genetic diversity and a method of ploidy variability identification using fluorescent cytophotometry

Aim. Due to the introduction of the Miscanthus species, attributed to the European gene pool, in Ukraine, it is necessary to develop methods for the determination of genome ploidy and adjust them to the foreign methods in order to ensure high purity of the planting material, to study genetic diversity, to produce new polyploid lines and select alternative Miscanthus × giganteus clones (3x). Methods. Cytological, biotechnological, fl uores- cence cytophotometry, fi eld, laboratory. Results. Domestic diploid millet (Panicum) variety of Veselopodilska Research Breeding Station and grain sorghum (Sorghum) variety Dniprovsky, whose number of chromosomes was previously investigated, served as standard genotypes for the ploidy identifi cation with Partec ploidy analyser (Germany). Using the technique, various species of miscanthus, namely Miscanthus × giganteus (3x), Miscanthus sinensis (2x), and Miscanthus saccharifl orus (2x) were selected and multiplied by clones. The heterogeneity of the Miscanthus × giganteus (3x) population of the two ecotypes was determined based on the level of genome ploidy in the vegetative reproduction of rhizomes which originated from Poland and Austria. Conclusions. Due to the complexity of cytological research, the need to involve the representatives of the Miscanthus genus in the development of bioenergy in Ukraine, and to differentiate them both in vivo and in vitro conditions to assimilate the European gene pool, a new methodology for identifi cation of plant material of different miscanthus species using the method of fl uorescence cytophotometry is presented. The ploidy of commercial foreign samples of miscanthus, introduced in the network of research and selection stations of the Institute of Bioenergy Crops and Sugar Beets of NAAS, was identifi ed.

Inhibition of litter decomposition of two emergent macrophytes by addition of aromatic plant powder

Aromatic plants show antimicrobial activity due to their essential oils, but their effect on litter decomposition is unclear. In this study, we evaluated the biomass loss and nutrient dynamics in leaf litters of two macrophytes (Miscanthus sacchariflorus and Carex brevicuspis) with and without addition of powdered material of the aromatic plant Polygonum hydropiper or the non-aromatic plant C. brevicuspis. The two powders had similar basic chemical qualities but P. hydropiperi had a higher essential oils concentration. Leaf litters of M. sacchariflorus and C. brevicuspis were incubated with powdered P. hydropiper or C. brevicuspis (500 g m−3, 250 g m−3, and no addition) for 120 days in a mesocosm experiment. Compared with the control (no addition), P. hydropiperi addition decelerated nutrient release and litter decomposition, while C. brevicuspis addition accelerated those processes. The nitrogen concentrations in both leaf litters and the phosphorus concentration in C. brevicuspis leaf litter were increased by addition of both plant powders. The fungal biomass in both leaf litters decreased after P. hydropiperi addition, due to the antifungal activity of its essential oils. These data indicate that the aromatic plant P. hydropiperi inhibits litter decomposition via its essential oils and that such inhibition is not species-specific.

Genetic mapping of biomass yield in three interconnected Miscanthus populations

AbstractImproving biomass yield is a major goal of Miscanthus breeding. We conducted a study on one interspecific Miscanthus sinensis × Miscanthus sacchariflorus F1 population and two intraspecific M. sinensis F1 populations, each of which shared a common parent. A field trial was established at Urbana, IL during spring 2011, and phenotypic data were collected in 2012 and 2013 for fourteen yield traits. Six high‐density parental genetic maps, as well as a consensus genetic map integrating M. sinensis and M. sacchariflorus, were developed via the pseudotestcross strategy for noninbred parents with ≥1214 single‐nucleotide polymorphism markers generated from restriction site‐associated DNA sequencing. We confirmed for the first time a whole‐genome duplication in M. sacchariflorus relative to Sorghum bicolor, similar to that observed previously for M. sinensis. Four quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis methods for detecting marker‐trait associations were compared: (1) individual parental map composite interval mapping analysis, (2) individual parental map stepwise analysis, (3) consensus map single‐population stepwise analysis and (4) consensus map joint‐population stepwise analysis. These four methods detected 288, 264, 133 and 109 total QTLs, which resolved into 157, 136, 106 and 86 meta‐QTLs based on QTL congruency, respectively, including a set of 59 meta‐QTLs common to all four analysis methods. Composite interval mapping and stepwise analysis co‐identified 118 meta‐QTLs across six parental maps, suggesting high reliability of stepwise regression in QTL detection. Joint‐population stepwise analysis yielded the highest resolution of QTLs compared to the other three methods across all meta‐QTLs. Strong, frequently advantageous transgressive segregation in the three populations indicated a promising future for breeding new higher‐yielding cultivars of Miscanthus.

New localities and awn morphology variation in Miscanthus ×ogiformis

Miscanthus ×ogiformis is a hybrid between Miscanthus sacchariflorus and Miscanthus sinensis and its several synonyms indicate the insufficient understanding of the morphological variation of its awn on the spikelet, which is a key characteristic for identifying Miscanthus species. In the present study, all the Miscanthus specimens in 19 herbaria were examined in order to find new localities for Miscanthus ×ogiformis. Thirty‐nine Miscanthus ×ogiformis specimens appeared to be naturally occurring hybrids, as their callus hair length, awn length, and callus‐to‐spikelet ratio differed from those found in the parental species. Therefore, new Miscanthus ×ogiformis individuals with morphological variations are likely to be discovered and these strains might be useful as new genetic resources for this biomass crop.

Alien herbaceous plant species new to Lithuania

AbstractThis paper presents information about ten new alien plant species recorded in Lithuania in the period from 1995 to 2014. These species belong to eight families: Cucurbitaceae (Lagenaria siceraria), Juncaceae (Luzula sylvestris), Lamiaceae (Physostegia virginiana, Sideritis montana), Poaceae (Melica altissima, Miscanthus sacchariflorus), Portulacaceae (Claytonia perfoliata), Scrophulariaceae (Digitalis purpurea), Solanaceae (Datura inoxia) and Zygophyllaceae (Tribulus terestris). Three species (Claytonia perfoliata, Sideritis montana and Tribulus terestris) were introduced accidentally, whereas other seven species were introduced deliberately and later escaped from cultivation. One species, Luzula sylvatica, is ascribed to the group of established aliens, whereas other recorded species are treated as casual. Local establishment of Claytonia perfoliata, Digitalis purpurea and Melica altissima is expected, whereas Miscanthus sacchariflorus can become established and even invasive in the future.

Foliar nitrogen and phosphorus stoichiometry of three wetland plants distributed along an elevation gradient in Dongting Lake, China

We examined foliar nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) stoichiometry of 3 wetland plants (Phalaris arundinacea, Miscanthus sacchariflorus, and Carex brevicuspis) distributed along an elevation gradient in the Dongting Lake, China, and how this stoichiometry is related to soil physico-chemical characteristics, elevation, and flooding days. Plant and soil samples were collected from 3 lakeshore sites. Total N and P concentrations of plants and six physico-chemical characteristics of the soil were measured, in addition to the elevation and flooding days. P. arundinacea and M. sacchariflorus had higher total N and P concentrations than C. brevicuspis. The foliar N:P ratio decreased with increasing elevation, and only increased with increasing foliar total N concentration. Canonical correspondence analysis indicated that the foliar stoichiometry was primarily regulated by soil water content, followed by soil nutrient concentration. The foliar N and P stoichiometry of the 3 wetland plants was insignificantly correlated with soil total P concentration. However, foliar stoichiometric characteristics and soil total N concentration significantly differed among the 3 species. These results demonstrate that spatial variation of foliar stoichiometry in wetland plants exists along an elevation gradient, with this information being useful for the conservation and management of wetland plants in this lake.

Effects of soil fertility on early development of wetland vegetation from soil seed bank: Focusing on biomass production and plant species diversity

To examine the effects of soil fertility on biomass production, plant species diversity, and early vegetation development, we performed a mesocosm experiment using soil seed bank under three soil fertility levels (ombrotrophic, mesotrophic, and eutrophic). Biomass production linearly increased (P < 0.01), whereas plant species diversity significantly decreased (P < 0.001) as soil fertility increased. Soil fertility seemed to play a role as an environmental sieve in early vegetation development, in turn, lead the patterns of biomass production and plant species diversity. Several Poaceae species which are forming tall and dense canopy, such as Phalaris arundinacea, Miscanthus sacchariflorus, and Zizania latifolia, showed higher importance values under fertilized condition, whereas relatively small macrophytes of Eleocharis acicularis, Carex dickinsii, and Isachne globosa mainly survived under ombrotrophic condition. Although plant species richness decreased as soil fertility increased, the percentages of perennials and exotics increased rather than annuals and natives. Predominance of perennials and exotics under eutrophic condition in early vegetation development seemed to lead a continuous decrease in plant species diversity as a result of competitive effect. A significant negative relationship between plant species diversity and biomass production (P < 0.0001) was obtained when all experimental plots are included in correlation analysis.