Miscanthus: European experience with a novel energy crop

Miscanthus is a tall perennial rhizomatous grass with C-4 photosynthesis wh ich originated in East Asia. This article provides an overview of the most important results and experience gained with miscanthus in Europe over the past 10 years. Field trials have been established throughout Europe from th e Mediterranean to southern Scandinavia. Most reported trials have used a v igorous sterile clone Miscanthus x giganteus, which has been propagated veg etatively either by rhizome cutting or in vitro culture. Yields in autumn h ave been reported in excess of 30 tha(-1) (12 t acre(-1)) for irrigated tri als in southern Europe. Without irrigation autumn yields of 10-25 tha(-1) ( dry matter) can be expected. The quality of miscanthus biomass for combusti on is in some respect comparable to woody biomass and normally improves by delaying harvesting until the spring, although harvestable yields are thus reduced by 30-50% compared with autumn yields. Different technical options for establishment, harvesting and handling of miscanthus have been develope d and these significantly effect production costs. Miscanthus production is characterized by low fertilizer and pesticide requirements making it a rel atively benign crop environmentally. The main limitations to miscanthus pro duction from M. x giganteus are the high establishment costs, poor over-win tering at some sites and insufficient water supply in southern regions of E urope. New agronomic techniques and new genotypes with improved characteris tics are being developed and screened over the wide range of ecological con ditions in Europe. Against this background of European experience the prosp ects for growing miscanthus in North America are discussed. (C) 2000 Elsevi er Science Ltd. All rights reserved.