Identifying the yield potential of Miscanthus x giganteus: an assessment of the spatial and temporal variability of M. x giganteus biomass productivity across England and Wales

The perennial C4 grass Miscanthus x giganteus has been recommended as a suitable biofuel crop for cultivation in England and Wales, and is eligible for planting grants from the UK government. Field trials have shown that the potential productivity of M. x giganteus is good, with sites that are suited to M. x giganteus cropping capable of dry matter yields in excess of 20 t . The paper reports information on the long-term yield of M. x giganteus growing at seven sites in England. Significant seasonal differences in yield are seen at most sites and in many instances these are attributable to moisture stress. A simple predictive model of M. x giganteus above ground dry matter yield, both with and without constraints on water availability is developed supported by yield assessment and crop physiological data from the field sites. The model is applied to the seven field sites, in order to explore its predictive capability and limitations. In addition, to explore the temporal and spatial variability of M. x giganteus yield, the model is applied in a GIS framework, using a number of national geographic databases, to derive maps of potential and water limited yield for England and Wales. The average model estimates of above ground dry matter yields at harvest for M. x giganteus on arable land in England and Wales, given water limitation, are in the range 6.9–24.1 t . Modelled inter-annual yield variation, as summarised by the coefficient of variation, ranges between 11 and 74% nationally and increases with decreasing mean yield.

[1]  A. Masoni,et al.  Effect of irrigation and nitrogen fertilization on biomass yield and efficiency of energy use in crop production of Miscanthus , 1999 .

[2]  R. J. Bailey,et al.  A model for estimating soil moisture changes as an aid to irrigation scheduling and crop water‐use studies: I. Operational details and description , 1996 .

[3]  M. Field,et al.  The meteorological office rainfall and evaporation calculation system -- MORECS , 1983 .

[4]  J. Lammel,et al.  Spatial and temporal distribution of the root system and root nutrient content of an established Miscanthus crop , 1999 .

[5]  R Venendaal,et al.  European energy crops: a synthesis , 1997 .

[6]  John Clifton-Brown,et al.  Alteration of transpiration rate, by changing air vapour pressure deficit, influences leaf extension rate transiently in Miscanthus , 1999 .

[7]  John Clifton-Brown,et al.  The modelled productivity of Miscanthus×giganteus (GREEF et DEU) in Ireland. , 2000 .

[8]  D. G. Christian,et al.  Biofuel crops: their potential contribution to decreased fossil carbon emissions and additional environmental benefits , 2001 .

[9]  J. Monteith.  Climate and the efficiency of crop production in Britain , 1977 .

[10]  J. Nix.  Farm management pocketbook , 1980 .

[11]  John Clifton-Brown,et al.  Water Use Efficiency and Biomass Partitioning of Three Different Miscanthus Genotypes with Limited and Unlimited Water Supply , 2000 .

[12]  J. Knox,et al.  Review of the effects of energy crops on hydrology , 2001 .

[13]  A. Friend.  Parameterisation of a global daily weather generator for terrestrial ecosystem modelling , 1998 .

[14]  John L. Monteith,et al.  Reassessment of Maximum Growth Rates for C3 and C4 Crops , 1978, Experimental Agriculture.

[15]  M. J. Bullard,et al.  Shoot growth, radiation interception and dry matter production and partitioning during the establishment phase of Miscanthus sinensis‘Giganteus’ grown at two densities in the UK , 1995 .

[16]  D. G. Christian,et al.  The agronomy of some herbaceous crops grown for energy in Southern England. , 1997 .

[17]  Stephen P. Long,et al.  Can perennial C4 grasses attain high efficiencies of radiant energy conversion in cool climates , 1995 .