<scp><i>M</i></scp><i>iscanthus</i> × <i>giganteus</i> productivity: the effects of management in different environments

Abstract

Abstract M iscanthus × giganteus is a C 4 perennial grass that shows great potential as a high‐yielding biomass crop. Scant research has been published that reports M . × giganteus growth and biomass yields in different environments in the U nited S tates. This study investigated the establishment success, plant growth, and dry biomass yield of M . × giganteus during its first three seasons at four locations ( U rbana, IL ; L exington, KY ; M ead, NE ; A delphia, NJ ) in the U nited S tates. Three nitrogen rates (0, 60, and 120 kg ha −1 ) were applied at each location each year. Good survival of M . × giganteus during its first winter was observed at KY , NE , and NJ (79–100%), and poor survival at IL (25%), due to late planting and cold winter temperatures. Site soil conditions, and growing‐season precipitation and temperature had the greatest impact on dry biomass yield between season 2 (2009) and season 3 (2010). Ideal 2010 weather conditions at NE resulted in significant yield increases ( P &lt; 0.0001) of 15.6–27.4 Mg ha −1 from 2009 to 2010. Small yield increases in KY of 17.1 Mg ha −1 in 2009 to 19.0 Mg ha −1 in 2010 could be attributed to excessive spring rain and hot dry conditions late in the growing season. Average M . × giganteus biomass yields in NJ decreased from 16.9 to 9.7 Mg ha −1 between 2009 and 2010 and were related to hot dry weather, and poor soil conditions. Season 3 yields were positively correlated with end‐of‐season plant height ( ) and tiller density ( ). Nitrogen fertilization had no significant effect on plant height, tiller density, or dry biomass yield at any of the sites during 2009 or 2010.