Field Experimentation of Miscanthus x Giganteus Growth in KY, NE, and NJ, and Validation of Biomass Crop Model, BioCro.

Miscanthus x giganteus, a C4 perennial grass shows potential for producing high dry biomass yields for bioenergy feedstock purposes.  As part of the DOE Sun Grant Herbaceous Feedstock Partnership, we assessed the biomass feedstock suitability of Miscanthus x giganteus (Mxg) in three U.S. locations by means of field experimentation and the use of a biomass crop model, BioCro. In 2008, Mxg was planted in 5 US locations: Urbana, IL, West Lafayette, IN, Lexington, KY, Mead, NE, and Adelphia, NJ. For this study only 3 locations (NE, KY, and NJ) are used since poor winter survival during establishment year occurred at the IN and IL locations. Field data were collected in research plots (10 m x 10 m) in NE, KY, and NJ during establishment year (2008-2009 growing season) and second year growth (2009-2010 growing season). Three nitrogen rates (0, 60, and 120 kg ha^-1) were applied at each location. We measured harvestable biomass, several growth parameters, and biomass quality, and collected meteorological variables. Mxg was productive at these 3 locations showing a broad range of adaptability. The model simulated most variables suggesting the potential for its use in predicting productivity in a range of environments (years and/or locations).