Originating in South East Asia and grown extensively across
Europe. Miscanthus, also known as elephant grass, is a perennial
C4 rhizomatous grass related to the sugarcane. It was initially
introduced into Europe as an ornamental garden addition and has
become naturalised. It produces a new canopy of tall bamboo-like
canes each year. In its native China, its pith filled canes can
reach a height of 7-10m, whilst in Europe heights of 4m are more
common. It has a rigorous root and rhizome system that can penetrate
down to depths of 1m. Miscanthus is generally regarded as a front-runner
in the search for commercially viable biomass crops in Europe and
the UK as it is high yielding (up to 18 tonnes of dry matter/ha
in the Herefordshire borders), copes with a range of soils and
conditions, has few pest and has a long productive life of over
15 years.
Miscanthus x giganteus is the most commonly grown natural hybrid
grown in the UK. It is a sterile hybrid but there are UK and European
Breeding programmes and, more recently, a Welsh breeding programme
(IGER) to breed varieties most suitable for the Welsh climate.
Miscanthus is planted as a rhizome and requires minimal inputs
of herbicide, pesticides and fertilisers. It is harvested during
late winter once the leaves have dropped and stems are dry. As
with most energy grass crops, it is cut and baled and can then
be combusted for heat and electricity generation. Once planted,
Miscanthus can be harvested annually over a 15 year life span.
Alternative uses for Miscanthus include animal bedding – it
can absorb up to 3x its own weight, thatching and fibreboard (mdf)
production.
Agronomy
Although having evolved in regions experiencing warm temperatures
and heavy rainfall, Miscanthus has been grown successfully in temperate
regions and has demonstrated an above ground tolerance for light
frost conditions (Rutherford and Heath, 1992). Leaves and shoots
are destroyed below -5oC but the plant can over-winter as a rhizome
at considerably lower temperatures (Green, 1991). Miscanthus requires
relatively little input from the soil and can grow on a range soil
types.
Establishment Costs:
Specialised harvesting machines are not required and Miscanthus
does not require fertiliser application for initial establishment
(although at some very dry sites this has greatly improved yields,
and may be required in later mature stages depending on productivity
and soil conditions). Planting machines and rhizomes are available,
establishment costs are around £1600/ha (John Amos, 2003) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recommended Literature
Planting and Growing Miscanthus – Best Practice Guidelines
for Applicants of DEFRA’s Energy Crop Scheme.
DEFRA. www.defra.gov.uk, 08459 556000 OR DEFRA Helpline 08459
33 55 77 (local rate).
Rutherford, L. & Heath, M.C. (eds) (1992) The potential of
Miscanthus as a fuel crop. Energy Technology Support Unit (ETSU)
B1354, Harwell, UK.
|
