| Miscanthus sinensis | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Poaceae |
| Subfamily: | Panicoideae |
| Genus: | Miscanthus |
| Species: | M. sinensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Miscanthus sinensis Andersson (1855) | |
Miscanthus sinensis, the eulalia [1] or Chinese silver grass, [2] is a species of flowering plant in the grass family Poaceae, native to eastern Asia throughout most of China, Japan, Taiwan and Korea.
It is an herbaceous perennial grass, growing to 0.8–2 m (3–7 ft) tall, rarely 4 m (13 ft), forming dense clumps from an underground rhizome. The leaves are 18–75 cm (7–30 in) tall and 0.3–2 cm broad. The flowers are purplish, held above the foliage. This plant is the preferred structure for the nesting of some species of paper wasps, such as Ropalidia fasciata . [3]
The Latin specific epithet sinensis means "from China", [4] though the plant is found elsewhere in eastern Asia.
It is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate climates around the world.
Miscanthus is a promising bioeconomy crop. The current cultivation area in Europe is relatively low. This is most likely due to its alternative crop status, where low knowledge about how to incorporate it into modern farming systems exist. Miscanthus can be used in unfavorable conditions, such as awkward shapes, slopes of land or relatively low soil quality. It can also play important roles for ecological services such as soil protection or when the farmer can use the biomass on his own farm as feed for animals(Winkler et al., 2020). [5]
Miscanthus can be cultivated in areas where corn grows, up to an altitude of about 700 meters is optimal. Yet, Miscanthus is ideal for soils that are often too wet for traditional field crops like corn. Environmental factors such as compacted soils and poor water retention can reduce biomass production and yield for bioenergy use.
It has become an invasive species in parts of North America. [6] However, it is possible to reduce the likelihood of escape or hybridization with extant wild M. sinensis populations with breeding and proper management. [7]
After Lee et al., [8] fertilization does plays a key role in achieving higher yields, with nutrient supply and soil quality being decisive factors. Nitrogen is particularly important, with an optimal application of about 60 kg of nitrogen per hectare. Additional nitrogen beyond this does not seem to improve yield significantly.
Nitrogen fertilization increases both water content and nitrogen content in the plant but does not affect its caloric value. The nitrogen content in Miscanthus also varies during the season.Other factors, such as spatial variation, soil type and soil texture, can affect nitrogen availability and thus influence yield (Schwartz et al., 1994). [9]
Other modern technologies, as shown in Chupakhin et al., [10] enable higher yields. Due to the energy demands and the competition between food crops and non-food crops like Miscanthus, research is now focused on genetically improving these plants. In the case of Miscanthus, improvements focus on increasing cellulose production to boost overall biomass yield.
Several cultivars have been selected, including 'Strictus' with narrow growth habit, 'Variegata' with white margins, and ‘Zebrinus’ (sometimes incorrectly rendered as 'Zebrina') with horizontal yellow and green stripes across the leaves. Those marked agm have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. [11]
M. sinensis is a candidate for bioenergy production due to its stable yields in various climatic environments and soils, low-cost propagation by seed, effective nutrient cycling, and high genetic variation. To reduce the environmental impacts of grain-based ethanol production and increase energy security, M. sinensis plays an essential role as a renewable energy source. [28]
The dry surface biomass of the Chinese silver grass, which is normally harvested in spring, can be burned directly in straw fire power plants for electricity production. The feedstock can also be used to produce bioethanol by fermentation or biomethane by anaerobic digestion. Bioethanol and biomethane are biofuels able to power various means of transport and represent a scalable source of alternative fuel. [29] [28] The harvested raw material is transported from the field to the power plant or the bioreactor in the form of big bales, chopped straw or pellets. [30]
Lignin content in M. sinensis is hampering fermentation and affects the efficiency during bioconversion. Obtaining Chinese silver grass with low lignin content and thus promising to increase bioconversion efficiency, is possible by green crop harvesting in autumn or early winter, adequate fertilisation and breeding for favourable traits. [29] [30]
When developing new varieties of Miscanthus intended as a bioenergy crop, M. sinensis shows promise to be used as a source of genetic material because it is expressing favourable traits. [28]
Miscanthus sinensis shows a high potential for Soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration, especially under moderate warming scenarios (RCP 4.5). Under high warming scenarios (RCP 8.5) the SOC stocks may decline over time, [31] because Miscanthus sinensis is better adapted to cooler climates. [32]
Higher SOC improves soil structure, nutrient cycling, water retention, microbial activity and biodiversity which are essential for soil health, sustainability and productivity in agricultural practices. Healthier soil can build up resilience against extreme weather events, especially against soil erosion and water loss through soil structure and stability. Moreover, increased SOC in soils play an important role in climate change mitigation by helping to offset greenhouse gas emissions. [33]
Usually, C4 carbon fixation plants have higher root exudation and rhizodeposition than Miscanthus. This suggests that the carbon dynamics in Miscanthus are dominated by recycling processes instead of carbon stabilization, meaning that not as much carbon is directly released into the soil through the roots. An important way of carbon storage in Miscanthus is through translocation of carbon into rhizomes before the crop is harvested. Additionally, carbon gets back to the soil through decomposition of plant material. [34]
The carbon sequestration potential of Miscanthus sinensis varies by climate, soil type, management practices and land-use history. [35] Depending on the land-use practice, a lot of carbon can be lost because of soil disturbances. The benefit of using perennial crops like Miscanthus sinensis is that you don’t have those annual disturbances and therefore, the soil has time to replace those losses. This leads to a higher stable soil carbon content. [36] [37] Especially in the first few decades SOC stocks can increase but might eventually decline again when returning to conventional cropping practices. [38]
Each species of Miscanthus has its own way of carbon transfer and allocation. Miscanthus sinensis produces less yield than Miscanthus x giganteus above ground but allocates carbon below ground more efficiently, which can enhance SOC. Furthermore, Miscanthus sinensis has a higher tolerance for water stress which might also enhance the effectiveness of the carbon retention. [34]
Miscanthus sinensis has demonstrated significant invasive potential due to its adaptability and competitive nature. Dougherty characterized the ecological niche of Miscanthus sinensis, noting its ability to thrive in diverse environmental conditions, which contributes to its invasiveness. [39] This adaptability allows Miscanthus sinensis to establish itself in a variety of habitats, outcompeting native species and altering local ecosystems. [39]
Miscanthus sinensis can show competitive abilities against aggressive species like switchgrass, enabling it to outcompete other plants, reduce biodiversity, and potentially lead to monocultures. [40] Its advantages over other plants include its tolerance to a wide range of temperatures, soil types, and moisture levels, as well as the potential for long-term seed viability. [41] [42]
Finally, Bonin et al. compared the establishment and productivity of Miscanthus sinensis to Miscanthus × giganteus, a similar grass species, highlighting the former’s robust establishment capabilities. [43] The research indicated that Miscanthus sinensis has a higher potential for naturalization and spread compared to Miscanthus × giganteus. [43] This comparison underscores the need for careful consideration when selecting species for bioenergy production to avoid unintended ecological consequences.
Crop rotation is the practice of growing a series of different types of crops in the same area across a sequence of growing seasons. This practice reduces the reliance of crops on one set of nutrients, pest and weed pressure, along with the probability of developing resistant pests and weeds.
Panicum virgatum, commonly known as switchgrass, is a perennial warm season bunchgrass native to North America, where it occurs naturally from 55°N latitude in Canada southwards into the United States and Mexico. Switchgrass is one of the dominant species of the central North American tallgrass prairie and can be found in remnant prairies, in native grass pastures, and naturalized along roadsides. It is used primarily for soil conservation, forage production, game cover, as an ornamental grass, in phytoremediation projects, fiber, electricity, heat production, for biosequestration of atmospheric carbon dioxide, and more recently as a biomass crop for the production of ethanol and butanol.
Cellulosic ethanol is ethanol produced from cellulose rather than from the plant's seeds or fruit. It can be produced from grasses, wood, algae, or other plants. It is generally discussed for use as a biofuel. The carbon dioxide that plants absorb as they grow offsets some of the carbon dioxide emitted when ethanol made from them is burned, so cellulosic ethanol fuel has the potential to have a lower carbon footprint than fossil fuels.
Bioenergy is a type of renewable energy that is derived from plants and animal waste. The biomass that is used as input materials consists of recently living organisms, mainly plants. Thus, fossil fuels are not regarded as biomass under this definition. Types of biomass commonly used for bioenergy include wood, food crops such as corn, energy crops and waste from forests, yards, or farms.
Biomass to liquid is a multi-step process of producing synthetic hydrocarbon fuels made from biomass via a thermochemical route.
Miscanthus, or silvergrass,is a genus of African, Eurasian, and Pacific Island plants in the grass family, Poaceae. The name is derived from the Greek words "miskos", meaning "stem", and "anthos", meaning "flower", in reference to the stalked spikelets on plants of this genus. Several species are known for their height and biomass production, and may be used as ornamental grasses.
Arundo donax is a tall perennial cane. It is one of several so-called reed species. It has several common names including giant cane, elephant grass, carrizo, arundo, Spanish cane, Colorado river reed, wild cane, and giant reed. Arundo and donax are respectively the old Latin and Greek names for reed.
Energy forestry is a form of forestry in which a fast-growing species of tree or woody shrub is grown specifically to provide biomass or biofuel for heating or power generation.
Lignocellulose refers to plant dry matter (biomass), so called lignocellulosic biomass. It is the most abundantly available raw material on the Earth for the production of biofuels. It is composed of two kinds of carbohydrate polymers, cellulose and hemicellulose, and an aromatic-rich polymer called lignin. Any biomass rich in cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin are commonly referred to as lignocellulosic biomass. Each component has a distinct chemical behavior. Being a composite of three very different components makes the processing of lignocellulose challenging. The evolved resistance to degradation or even separation is referred to as recalcitrance. Overcoming this recalcitrance to produce useful, high value products requires a combination of heat, chemicals, enzymes, and microorganisms. These carbohydrate-containing polymers contain different sugar monomers and they are covalently bound to lignin.
Energy crops are low-cost and low-maintenance crops grown solely for renewable bioenergy production. The crops are processed into solid, liquid or gaseous fuels, such as pellets, bioethanol or biogas. The fuels are burned to generate electrical power or heat.
Biochar is charcoal, sometimes modified, that is intended for organic use, as in soil. It is the lightweight black remnants, consisting of carbon and ashes, remaining after the pyrolysis of biomass, and is a form of charcoal. Despite its name, immediately following production biochar is sterile and only gains biological life following assisted or incidental exposure to biota.
In the context of energy production, biomass is matter from recently living organisms which is used for bioenergy production. Examples include wood, wood residues, energy crops, agricultural residues including straw, and organic waste from industry and households. Wood and wood residues is the largest biomass energy source today. Wood can be used as a fuel directly or processed into pellet fuel or other forms of fuels. Other plants can also be used as fuel, for instance maize, switchgrass, miscanthus and bamboo. The main waste feedstocks are wood waste, agricultural waste, municipal solid waste, and manufacturing waste. Upgrading raw biomass to higher grade fuels can be achieved by different methods, broadly classified as thermal, chemical, or biochemical.
Miscanthus × giganteus, also known as the giant miscanthus, is a sterile hybrid of Miscanthus sinensis and Miscanthus sacchariflorus. It is a perennial grass with bamboo-like stems that can grow to heights of 3–4 metres (13 ft) in one season. Just like Pennisetum purpureum, Arundo donax and Saccharum ravennae, it is also called elephant grass.
Short rotation coppice (SRC) is coppice grown as an energy crop. This woody solid biomass can be used in applications such as district heating, electric power generating stations, alone or in combination with other fuels. Currently, the leading countries in area planted for energy generation are Sweden and the UK.
Slash-and-char is an alternative to slash-and-burn that has a lesser effect on the environment. It is the practice of charring the biomass resulting from the slashing instead of burning it. Due to incomplete combustion (pyrolysis) the resulting residue matter charcoal can be utilized as biochar to improve the soil fertility.
Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) is the process of extracting bioenergy from biomass and capturing and storing the carbon dioxide (CO2) that is produced.
Soil management is the application of operations, practices, and treatments to protect soil and enhance its performance. It includes soil conservation, soil amendment, and optimal soil health. In agriculture, some amount of soil management is needed both in nonorganic and organic types to prevent agricultural land from becoming poorly productive over decades. Organic farming in particular emphasizes optimal soil management, because it uses soil health as the exclusive or nearly exclusive source of its fertilization and pest control.
Perennial crops are a perennial plant species that are cultivated and live longer than two years without the need of being replanted each year. Naturally perennial crops include many fruit and nut crops; some herbs and vegetables also qualify as perennial. Perennial crops have been cultivated for thousands of years; their cultivation differs from the mainstream annual agriculture because regular tilling is not required and this results in decreased soil erosion and increased soil health. Some perennial plants that are not cultivated as perennial crops are tomatoes, whose vines can live for several years but often freeze and die in winters outside of temperate climates, and potatoes which can live for more than two years but are usually harvested yearly. Despite making up 94% of plants on earth, perennials take up only 13% of global cropland. In contrast, grain crops take up about 70% of global cropland and global caloric consumption and are largely annual plants.
Marginal land is land that is of little agricultural or developmental value because crops produced from the area would be worth less than any rent paid for access to the area. Although the term marginal is often used in a subjective sense for less-than-ideal lands, it is fundamentally an economic term that is defined by the local economic context. Thus what constitutes marginal land varies both with location and over time: for example, "a soil profile with a set of specific biophysical characteristics reported as “marginal” in the US corn belt may be one of the better soils available in another context". Changes in product values – such as the ethanol-demand induced spike in corn prices – can result in formerly marginal lands becoming profitable. Marginal lands can therefore be more difficult to delineate as compared to "abandoned crop lands" which reflect more clearly definable landowner-initiated land use changes.
Carbon farming is a set of agricultural methods that aim to store carbon in the soil, crop roots, wood and leaves. The technical term for this is carbon sequestration. The overall goal of carbon farming is to create a net loss of carbon from the atmosphere. This is done by increasing the rate at which carbon is sequestered into soil and plant material. One option is to increase the soil's organic matter content. This can also aid plant growth, improve soil water retention capacity and reduce fertilizer use. Sustainable forest management is another tool that is used in carbon farming. Carbon farming is one component of climate-smart agriculture. It is also one way to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
| Authority control databases: National |
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