Family: Gramineae
Genus: Miscanthus
Species: sinensis, sacchariflorus, species.
(i) General background on the plant
Miscanthus is a "woody" perennial tufted or rhizomatous grass, growing to 3-4m in height. It produces new shoots annually which produce erect, robust stems and appear similar to thin bamboo cane, having a diameter of approximately 10 mm. Occasionally inflorescences are produced which are often large and plumbose and composed of numerous racemes which are sub-digitate or arranged on a long central axis. Spikelets are usually densely hairy, awned or awnless. Flowering does not occur in Northern Europe. Miscanthus is sometimes called Elephant Grass.
Several species have been cultivated in Europe for many years as ornamentals.
Miscanthus is one of several coarse grasses under investigation for biomass production and fibre production. It is to be noted that the taxonomy of this plant is subject to clarification and revision.
(ii) Details of quality characters
1 kg of crop dry matter = c. 0.4 kg of oil in energy content, when burnt as a fuel.
M. sinensis is composed of the following:
Cellulose 44%
Hemicelluloses 24%
Lignin 17%
Ash 1.5%
Other 13.5%
(iii) Current production and yields
Fibre yield: 6 t/ha.
The crop DM yield ranges from 11.7 to 25.3 t DM /ha/yr and even up to 44 t DM/ha/yr as reported from a source in Denmark. M. sacchariflorus grown from rhizome segments at three different research centres in central and southern England range from 12 - 20t DM/ha/yr. Miscanthus does not typically reach its peak yield until the third or fourth season. Hence subsequent yields should be much higher. It is anticipated a stand of Miscanthus would remain viable for 15 years.
(iv) Constraints on production
Since rhizomes are used for propagation and the crop does not readily produce rhizomes under climatic conditions found in Europe, the crop is expensive to produce.
(v) Markets and market potential
Uses include as a fuel to be burnt, and for its fibres in paper, insulation board and possibly concrete.
(vi) Other information
The power output of 1t of DM of Miscanthus when burnt is approximately 1.67 MWh.
Soil and fertiliser requirements:
High yields reported on a wide range of arable soils on the continent, although light soils only yield well if rainfall is adequate, and on heavy soils there may be compaction and harvesting problems. Although M. sinensis is reputed to be susceptible to water-logging in its establishment year, there are some observation that M. sacchariflorus usually occupies wet areas and yields more dry matter in wet plots than in dry plots, and prefers heavy soils or the waterside.
A wide pH range is tolerated but growth is best between pH 5.5 and 7.5.
Deep soils tend to produce higher yields than shallow soils and in Japan there is a close relationship between depth of the ‘A’ horizon soil and crop height/yield.
N-use efficiency in C4 crops is higher than in C3 crops and the nutrient requirement in established crops is not likely to exceed 75 kg/ha P and 100 kg/ha K on soils with nutrient reserves at normal levels for arable crops.
The crop actively redistributes large amounts of nutrients into the rhizome in the later part of the growing season so that nutrient take-off at harvest is minimal.
The plant may be propagated by seed, rhizome or micro propagation. Varieties currently under review (UK) do not set seed. Multiplication is by plant division. Plants are grown in a nursery for at least one season before whole plants are lifted and cut into pieces. 5-7.5 cm diameter divisions are recommended to be taken as growth starts in late March/early April division produces large plants quickly but the method is time consuming.
Optimal planting density is likely to be between 1-3 plants/m2. As the crop spreads rhizomatously to cover all the available ground, a wide spacing may be more economic even though initial yield will be lower. In Denmark, 2 rows 0.75 m apart, with gaps of 1.75 m between the double rows, is recommended and is thought to minimise mechanical damage at harvest.
Weeds can check growth in the first two years of growth: The following actives have been safely used for weed control: atrazine, propyzamide, mecoprop, fluroxypyr, bromoxynil/ioxynil and some sulfonyl-ureas. Glyphosate and paraquat can be used in the dormant period between harvest and initiation of spring growth
A large number of pests and diseases attack the crop although no any one major pest or disease causing serious loss is apparent. The crop may be a carrier of BYDV although it is not known if this affects the growth of the plant.
See the following pages in the NF-2000 Database:
FAIR 1707 Concerted action on Miscanthus
FAIR-0512 - European Energy Crops Processing and Utilisation in Europe
IEA/CLAAS workgroup - Harvest and other mechanical pre-treatments of lignocellulosic energy crops
AIR-CT-92-8002 - Lignocellulosic Energy Crops in Different Agricultural Scenarios
AIR3-CT94-2455 - Environmental Aspects of Biomass Production and Routes for European Energy Supply
AIR3-CT94-1990 - Novel Fermentation Feedstocks
FAIR-3186 - Establishment of the European Energy Crops Network (EECN)
FAIR-3203 - Scaling-up and operation of a flash-pyrolysis system bio-oil production
(vii) Contacts
BICAL (Biomass Industrial Crops Ltd)
Dr. Paul Carver
Tel: 0044 1884 35899
Kingsmill Arable Unit, Kingsmill Road
Cullompton, Devon, EX15 1BJ UK
www.bical.co.uk
BICAL Company Mission Statement: "To
develop the end uses of miscanthus as a valuable new crop, offering major benefits
to many sectors, both inside and outside
of agriculture". A range of end products
using the cane are being developed, and our
rhizome production and planting technology
is well advanced. We welcome suggestions
for collaboration with R&D organisations.
Rhizome and seedlings are offered for sale.
Springdale Crop Synergies Ltd,
Mr Clifford Spencer, Springdale Crop Synergies Ltd, Rudston, Driffield, East Yorkshire, YO25
4DJ
Telephone: +44 (0) 1262 421100
Website: www.springdale-group.com
Energy Technology Support Unit
Department of Trade & Industry,
Harwell, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 ORA
Tel: 01235 433011. Fax: 01235 436585
Dr Paul Maryan Biomass Programme Manager,
Tel: 01235 433834
(viii) References
Toward a UK Research Strategy for alternative crops. Published by Silsoe Research Institute, July 1994