The effect of fertilization on yield and quality of Miscanthus sinensis ‘Giganteus’
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Abstract
In Austria it is planned to use Miscanthus sinensis ‘Giganteus’ as a renewable energy source. Therefore, effects of the age of the crop, time of harvest and application of fertilizers on yield, water content and quality of Miscanthus sinensis ‘Giganteus’ were investigated. In February of the second year after planting, yield of Miscanthus sinensis ‘Giganteus’ was 8 t d.m./ha and reached, in the third year of cultivation, 22 t d.m./ha. Yield was highest in September and from that time on, due to senescent leaves, decreased steadily. Different amounts of nitrogen fertilizers had no clear effect on yield because at the beginning of the vegetation period of the second year Nmin content of the soil was between 145 and 165 kg N/ha and between 190 and 340 kg N/ha in the third year. In September, water content of Miscanthus sinensis ‘Giganteus’ was about 60%. At the end of February, the usual harvest time, of the second year after planting water content was about 42% and in the third year approximately 30%. Nitrogen content of the plants was highest at the beginning of the growing season and decreased thereafter. In February of the second year, nitrogen content was about 6.6 g/kg d.m. followed by 5 g/kg d.m. in the third year. Due to a more intensive nitrogen fertilization water and nitrogen content increased almost linearily within the investigated range of nitrogen fertilization (0–180 kg N/ha) applied. The calorific value of Miscanthus sinensis ‘Giganteus’ was as high as firewood. Finally ash content of Miscanthus exceeded firewood but was determined lower than that of straw.
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Citation Excerpt :
For example, in Austria, Schwarz et al. (1994) reported an increase of only 1 Mg ha− 1 in dry biomass (from 20.6 to 21.6 Mg ha− 1) with an increase in N level from 0 to 180 kg N ha− 1 in a 3-year-old crop. However, the authors hypothesize that because the soil had a high capacity for nutrient delivery, the lack of N response can be attributed, at least in this case, to the combined effect of optimal initial nutrient supply and the fact that only the second and third growing seasons were reported (Schwarz et al., 1994). Similarly, in Germany, Himken et al. (1997) did not observe a significant N fertilization effect on above-ground or rhizome dry biomass, possibly because the soil supplied the N needed for the yield levels at this location.
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