Title:
Long Term Miscanthus Studies: Effect of Water Deficit on Growth and Yields
Author(s):
Alexopoulou, E., Papamichail, I., Iordanoglou, K., Tsipas, G, Vafeiadakis, T., Papazoglou, E.G.
Document(s):
Paper
Poster
Abstract:
Miscanthus (Miscanthus X giganteus) is a sterile perennial grass with a lifespan higher than 10 years providing lignocellulosic feedstock for advanced biofuels, bioenergy production and added-value biobased products. It has been selected as valuable non-food crop to be grown on marginal and/or contaminated lands. A field trial established in an arid area in central Greece (Aliartos, Viotia) in 2011 with dual scope to monitor the long-term miscanthus’s performance and to study the effect of water deficit and plant density on growth and yields. The measured 12-years mean dry matter yields was 16.3 t/ha. The ceiling yields of miscanthus plantation had been recorded in the 2nd growing period (19.3 t/ha) and remainedquite high in the 3rd growing period (18.2 t/ha). Thereafter, the yields gradually declined and in the11th growing period was 16.2 t/ha (11% reduction). A bigger yields reduction (16%) had been recorded from the 11th to 12th growing period (13.6 t/ha). Although in all growing periods the water deficit reduced the miscanthus yields, the highest differences had been recorded in those years that the precipitation was quite limited during the summer period. The smallest superiority between the fully irrigated plots and the rainfed ones recorded in 12th growing period (16.9 vs 11.4 t/ha) and the highest in the 2nd growing period (24.5 vs 10.8 t/ha). Between the two tested plant densities (0.7 and 1.4 plants/m2) it was found that slighter higher yields had been recorded in thelow-density plots, apart from the establishment year. The net calorific value (kcal/kg) in the fully irrigated plots (4th growing period; Jan. 15) was 4597, while in the non-irrigated was 4576. The corresponding values for the ash content were 3.57% and 4.20%.
Keywords:
biomass, irrigation, miscanthus, yield, water use, dry matter
Topic:
Sustainable Resources for Decarbonising the Economy
Subtopic:
Innovative biomass production for energy integrated into traditional agri-forestry systems
Event:
31st European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
1BV.3.2
Pages:
132 - 136
ISBN:
978-88-89407-23-3
Paper DOI:
10.5071/31stEUBCE2023-1BV.3.2
Price:
FREE
