A new study looking at producing Miscanthus hybrids from seed has shown improvements and advancements in seed production, growing methods and agronomy.
The study, entitled ‘Achieving hybridisation between Miscanthus species: Commercially-scalable methods to manipulate flowering synchronisation and maximise seed yield’ from LJMU’s School of Biological and Environmental Sciences looks at reliably producing seed by synchronising the flowering time of leading Miscanthus species to breed viable hybrid varieties.
“The advantage of breeding two species together is that you create hybrids with the best traits from both, and that don’t flower in the UK and Northern Europe,” explains Dr Danny Awty-Carroll, postdoctoral research associate at the School of Biological and Environmental Scientists, Liverpool John Moores University.
“If they don’t flower, it means they are sterile hybrids and don’t spread,” he says.
“As well as developing viable methods for synchronising these species, we have improved seed production and agronomy in the field, in semi-commercial settings,” says Danny.
The results of the study push forward the ability to produce varieties with traits suited to different climates and grow them more effectively. “Seed is the future. It means we will be able to breed different varieties suited to different locations, soils, and climates,” says Dr Richard Webster, Senior Lecturer Biological and Environmental Sciences at Liverpool John Moores University.
UK-based Miscanthus specialist, Terravesta, is using the methods from this study to produce seed more effectively, developing varieties with favourable traits for growing at commercial scale in the UK and Europe. “Terravesta is improving seed development and agronomy, as well as increasing rhizome propagation. Rhizome is also key, as, improving rhizome propagation pulls the seed along. There will always be a need for Miscanthus rhizomes,” says Richard.
“Seed will enable us to upscale Miscanthus planting. This technology is ready, it works, now what we need is more support from the UK government for the biomass sector,” adds Richard.
To read the paper, visit: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0926669024010938?via%3Dihub.
