Miscanthus x giganteus
Discover the benefits of Miscanthus.
Miscanthus is a grass.
Miscanthus giganteus, a sterile hybrid of Miscanthus sinensis and Miscanthus sacchariflorus, is a perennial C4 rhizomatous grass.
Its lignified, bamboo-like stems grow up to 3.5 metres in a single season. It features wide, dark green, pendulous leaves with a white central vein.
It is widely used as a biofuel feedstock due to its high productivity and its perennial nature.
The name Miscanthus comes from two Greek words meaning “stem” (miskos) and “flower” (anthos), which refer to the stalked flowering heads of this crop.
Miscanthus is a highly efficient.
It is known for its photosynthetic efficiency and ability to absorb large amounts of carbon dioxide, making it environmentally friendly. It has specific characteristics such as large root systems and dormancy, resulting in high stress resistance, high survival rates, lower growth limitations and great dry matter yield (DM). Depending on climatic conditions, DM yields (average 14% moisture) vary in Europe from 12 t/ha in northern regions to 24 t/ha in southern climates.
Miscanthus is a C4 plant.
All plants share a common process known as photosynthesis, which they use to create the nutrients they need for survival. They take in light, carbon dioxide (CO2), and water, and turn it into sugars that help them grow.
Most plants use something called C3 photosynthesis, where the first compound made during this process has three carbon atoms.
However, this process has some problems:
Sometimes, instead of using CO2, this process uses oxygen (O2), which creates a harmful compound. This wastes energy and slows down the process.
When plants open their tiny pores in their leaves (stomata) to let in CO2, they also lose water, which can be a problem in dry places.
For better efficiency, Miscanthus has evolved a different type of photosynthesis called C4. In C4 plants, the first compound made has four carbon atoms instead of just three.
Miscanthus can fix carbon even when the pores in its leaves are closed, so it loses less water. Plants such as maize, sugar cane, sorghum and Miscanthus x giganteus use C4 photosynthesis to survive in hot and dry environments. This is a very useful trait as climate change makes the climate hotter and drier.
There is so much more to discover about Miscanthus.
Miscanthus is high on lignocellulosic content.
It is for its potential as a lignocellulosic feedstock that Miscanthus has attracted attention. Lignocellulosic content refers its material composition consisting largely of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin.
Its lignocellulosic content makes it a promising feedstock for sustainable bioenergy production and biorefinery applications, offering economic, environmental, and social benefits.
Cellulose (a) is a chain of carbohydrate molecules found in plant cell walls. It is the most common organic compound on Earth. The best known application of cellulose fibres is in paper making.
Besides this, cellulose can be broken down into simple sugars and fermented into biofuels such as ethanol and other chemical bioproducts.
Hemicellulose (b) is a complex carbohydrate made up of linked sugar units. It is easier hydrolysed (a process which breaks down the carbohydrate chain to dissolve the sugar molecules) than cellulose. Miscanthus contains significant amounts of hemicellulose, contributing to its enormous potential as a new feedstock for sugar substitutes and pre-biotic sugar.
Lignin (c) provides structural support to plant cell walls. While lignin is critical for plant growth and stiffness, its firmness poses a chemical challenge for biomass conversion processes to biofuels. Miscanthus typically has a lower lignin content than other lignocellulosic feedstocks such as wood for example, making it more suitable for bioconversion processes into biochemicals.
Use cases of Miscanthus giganteus
Biofuel production Miscanthus giganteus is often grown for its potential as a biomass feedstock for bioenergy and biofuel production.
Pulp and paper The fibrous nature of Miscanthus giganteus can be used in the production of biodegradable packaging, printing and tissue paper.
Flood tolerance: It withstands flooding and is suitable for areas prone to periodic flooding. Its deep roots anchor it to the ground surviving temporary flooding.
Game cover Dense and tall it provides excellent cover and shelter, winter food and forage, and suitable nesting sites for game birds.
Biodiversity It increases habitat diversity within agricultural landscapes, supporting wildlife species including small mammals, insects and pollinators.
Farm efficiency Once established, it is self-sufficient. It takes time and inputs off unproductive land.
Carbon sequestration It absorbs CO2 in the above-ground biomass and below-ground root systems. This builds up organic carbon, which improves soil fertility.
Soil improvement Its deep roots improve soil structure and fertility by adding organic matter and increasing microbial activity without damaging drainage systems.
Erosion control Its extensive root systems stabilise the soil and prevent erosion. It is often planted in erosion-prone areas such as river banks and hillsides.
Phytoremediation Although its effectiveness may vary depending on the specific contaminant, Miscanthus absorbs contaminants from soil and water.
Animal bedding The long, fibrous nature of Miscanthus makes it suitable for animal bedding. It is used in stables and barns for horses and cattle.
Propagation of Miscanthus
A rhizome (ancient Greek: root mass) is the main stem of the Miscanthus plant that runs horizontally underground, in the case of Terravesta ATHENA TM up to one metre in diameter. It has the ability to send up new shoots and grow roots from its nodes. Rhizomes store starch, protein and other nutrients, which become useful when new shoots need to be formed.
Propagation involves planting rhizome cuttings harvested from specialist nurseries to ensure fresh and vigorous rhizomes for optimum establishment.
Why opt for Miscanthus?
- Low input crop: Minimal maintenance needed.
- Versatility: Thrives in various soil types.
- Resilience: Survives water submergence.
- Sustainability: Supports biodiversity.
- Profitability: Stable low risk income.
Miscanthus offers growers a stable annual income and considerable benefits for soil and water. It grows on less productive land, including flooded fields.
Miscanthus giganteus offers practicality, sustainability and stable returns to farmes.
Farming incentives for Miscanthus
Farmers with established Miscanthus crops are eligible for a range of agricultural support schemes in the UK and across Europe. This support covers measures aimed at improving land management to promote both sustainability and biodiversity, as well as improved crop production. In most cases these schemes relate to soil management, integrated pest management and nutrient management, all of which are directly related to the unique qualities of the crop.
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Carbon negative properties
Miscanthus earns its carbon-negative status through its unique photosynthetic process. It captures atmospheric carbon dioxide and converts it into biomass as it grows, storing carbon in its stems and roots. Unlike trees, Miscanthus retains its ability to sequester carbon after harvest because it readily regrows each year.
The European Union recognises the importance of energy crops in the EU Green Deal, noting that climate change and environmental degradation are existential threats to humanity.
Miscanthus supports Biodiversity
Minimal chemical application, zero fertiliser, no cultivation over a long period of time and ample leaf litter generated by the crop encourages biodiversity, providing habitat for a wide range of wildlife, including invertebrates, mammals, and birds. Miscanthus field margins contain a rich diversity of flowers not seen in arable crops, with the crop also presenting a habitat for a wide variety of pollinating insects.
Studies have shown invertebrates to have higher species diversity and abundance in Miscanthus fields when compared with existing arable crops.
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