Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) as an alternative energy crop in Europe Initiation of a productivity network

Establishment of switchgrass, a native species of the North American Great Plains, was evaluated under contrasting climatic conditions in Germany and Italy. The effects of drilling dates, seeding rates and weed control on growth and dry matter production of two contrasting switchgrass varieties was evaluated at two sites in Europe. The varieties were Cave-in-Rock, Alamo and Kanlow, drilling dates were April and June 1999 in Germany and April and May 1999 in Italy. Seeding densities were 200 and 400 pure live seed (PLS)/m. Plots had either no weed control or chemical control with the herbicide 2.4-D. The higher seeding rate resulted in greater plant density but did not affect dry matter yield. The early drilling date (April vs June) in Germany significantly increased dry matter yield while the late drilling date in Italy (May vs April) increased yield. Generally northern upland-ecotypes of switchgrass are more adapted to cooler northern climatic conditions. Results show that the lowland-ecotype Kanlow could overwinter and establish near Braunschweig in Germany. Weed control resulted in increased biomass yield in Italy but not in Germany Yield in Italy may have been affected by summer drought as irrigation was necessary in both years. Up to 12-16 t DM/ha were harvested in Germany compared to maximum yield of 8 t/ha in Italy. Biomass yield resulting from the different treatments ranged from 5.09-8.9 tonne DM/ha in 1999 and 10.616.6 in 2000. In Italy, yield ranged from 1.63-15.36 tonne DM/ha.

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