Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

New Insights into the Propagation Methods of Switchgrass, Miscanthus and Giant Reed

  • Published:
BioEnergy Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A general obstacle to the development of perennial grasses is the relatively high cost of propagation and planting. The objective of the present study was to investigate new propagation and planting methods of giant reed (Arundo donax L.), miscanthus (Miscanthus x giganteus Greef et Deuter) and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.). Field and open-air pot trials were carried out in four different locations across Europe: hydro-seeding of switchgrass was tested in field trials at the experimental farm of the University of Bologna, Italy; stem propagation and bud activation methods of miscanthus were evaluated in field experiments in Péteri, Hungary; giant reed rhizome and stem propagations were compared in a field trial in Aliartos, Greece; finally, an open-air pot trial was carried out in Catania, Italy, using single-node stem cuttings of giant reed. Hydro-seeding emerged as a feasible and promising technique for switchgrass to ensure prompt seed emergence and weed control during plant establishment. Direct stem plantings of miscanthus were successful, and activated stem-buds were able to sprout in field conditions; however, timely stem transplant was determinant for shoot density and biomass yield. In giant reed, rhizome propagation showed a higher stem density and biomass yield than stem propagation; however, the yield gap was not significant from the second year onwards. Single-node rooting was mainly driven by air temperature. Nodes from basal stems showed higher rooting rates than median and apical ones. Growth regulator pretreatments enhanced rooting rate only at transplanting times under suboptimal air temperatures. In general, these experiments provided insights into propagation strategies aimed at enhancing the establishment phase of perennial grasses.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Zegada-Lizarazu W, Elbersen W, Cosentino SL, Zatta A, Alexopoulou E, Monti A (2010) Agronomic aspects of future energy crops in Europe. Biofuels Bioprod Biorefin 4(6):674–691

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Zegada-Lizarazu W, Parrish D, Berti M, Monti A (2013) Dedicated crops for advanced biofuels: Consistent and diverging agronomic points of view between the USA and the EU-27. Biofuel Bioprod Biorefin 7:715–731

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Rettenmaier N, Köppen S, Gärtner SO, Reinhardt GA (2010) Life cycle assessment of selected future energy crops for Europe. Biofuel Bioprod Biorefin 4(6):620–636

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Fernando AL, Duarte MP, Almeida J, Boléo S, Mendes B (2010) Environmental impact assessment of energy crops cultivation in Europe. Biofuel Bioprod Biorefin 4(6):594–604

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Soldatos P, Lychnaras V, Panoutsou C, Cosentino SL (2010) Economic viability of energy crops in the EU: the farmer’s point of view. Biofuel Bioprod Biorefin 4(6):637–657

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Lewandowski I, Heinz A (2003) Delayed harvest of miscanthus-influences on biomass quantity and quality and environmental impacts of energy production. Eur J Agron 19:45–63

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Boose AB, Holt JS (1999) Environmental effects on asexual reproduction in Arundo donax. Weed Res 39:117–127

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Wijte AHBM, Mizutani T, Motamed ER, Merryfield ML, Miller DE, Alexander DE (2005) Temperature and endogenous factors cause seasonal patterns in rooting by stem fragments of the invasive giant reed, Arundo donax (Poaceae). Int J Plant Sci 166:507–517

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Ceotto E, Di Candilo M (2010) Shoot cuttings propagation of giant reed (Arundo donax L.) in water and moist soil: The path forward? Biomass Bioenergy 34:1614–1623

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Takahashi W, Takamizo T, Kobayashi M, Ebina M (2010) Plant regeneration from calli in Giant Reed (Arundo donax L). Grassl Sci 56(4):224–229

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Copani V, Cosentino SL, Testa G, Scordia D (2013) Agamic propagation of giant reed (Arundo donax L.) in semi-arid Mediterranean environment. Ital J Agron 8(s1:e4):18–24

    Google Scholar 

  12. Cavallaro V, Patanè C, Cosentino SL, Di Silvestro I, Copani V (2014) Optimizing in vitro large scale production of giant reed (Arundo donax L.) by liquid medium culture. Biomass Bioenergy 69:21–27

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Atkinson CJ (2009) Establishing Perennial Grass Energy Crops in the UK: A Review of Current Propagation Options for Miscanthus. Biomass Bioenergy 33:752–759

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Lewandowski I (1998) Propagation method as an important factor in the growth and development of Miscanthus x giganteus. Ind Crop Prod 8:229–245

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Boersma NN, Heaton EA (2012) Effects of Temperature, Illumination and Node Position on Stem Propagation of Miscanthus x giganteus. GCB Bioenergy 4:680–687

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Pyter R, Heaton E, Dohleman F, Voigt T, Long S (2009) Agronomic experiences with Miscanthus × giganteus in Illinois, USA. Methods Mol Biol 581:41–52

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Xue S, Kalinina O, Lewandowski I (2015) Present and future options for Miscanthus propagation and establishment. Renew Sust Energ Rev 49:1233–1246

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Zegada-Lizarazu W, Wullscheleger SD, Surendran N, Monti A (2012) Crop physiology. In: Monti A (ed) Switchgrass: a valuable biomass crop for energy. Springer-Verlag, London, pp 55–86

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  19. Berti MT, Johnson BL (2013) Switchgrass establishment as affected by seeding depth and soil type. Ind Crop Prod 41:289–293

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Sanderson MA, Schmer M, Owens V, Keyser P, Elbersen W (2012) Crop management of switchgrass. In: Monti A (ed) Switchgrass: a valuable biomass crop for energy. Springer-Verlag, London, pp 87–112

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  21. Schmer MR, Vogel KP, Mitchell RB, Moser LE, Eskrige KM, Perrin RK (2006) Establishment stand threshold for switchgrass grown as a bioenergy crop. Crop Sci 46:157–161

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Mitchell RB, Moore KJ, Moser LE, Fritz JO, Redfearn DD (1997) Predicting developmental morphology in switchgrass and big bluestem. Agron J 89:827–832

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Mitchell RB, Vogel KP, Sarath G (2008) Managing and enhancing switchgrass as a bioenergy feedstock. Biofuel Bioprod Biorefin 2:530–539

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Stott LV, Dougher TAO, Rew LJ (2010) Developing Native Multispecies Sod: An Alternative Rehabilitation Method for Disturbed Lands. Restor Ecol 18(5):742–752

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Brofas G, Mantakas G, Tsagari K, Stefanakis M, Varelides C (2007) Effectiveness of cellulose, straw and binding materials for mining spoils revegetation by hydro-seeding, in Central Greece. Ecol Eng 31:193–199

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Harper CA, Morgan GD, Dixon CE (2004) Establishing native warm-season grasses using conventional and no-till technology with various applications of Plateau herbicide. In: Burns JC, Randall J (eds) Proc. Third Eastern Native Grass Symposium. Omnipress, Chapel Hill, pp 63–70

    Google Scholar 

  27. Parrish DJ, Fike JH (2005) The biology and agronomy of switchgrass for biofuels. Crit Rev Plant Sci 24:423–459

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Wolf DD, Parrish DJ, Daniels WL, McKenna JR (1989) No-till establishment of perennial, warm-season grasses for biomass production. Biomass 20:209–217

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. James G (2004) Sugarcane. Blackwell Science Ltd., Oxford, Available at: http://base.dnsgb.com.ua/files/book/Agriculture/Cultures/Sugarcane.pdf

    Book  Google Scholar 

  30. Hirimburegamna K, Gamage N (1995) Propagation of Bambusa vulgaris (yellow bamboo) though nodal bud cultural. J Hortic Sci Biotechnol 70:469–475

    Google Scholar 

  31. Spencer DF, Ksander GG (2006) Estimating Arundo donax ramet recruitment using degree-day based equations. Aquat Bot 85:282–288

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Decruyenaere JG, Holt JS (2001) Seasonality of clonal propagation in giant reed. Weed Sci 49:760–767

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Thimann KV, Skoog F (1933) Studies on the growth hormone of plants. III. The inhibiting action of the growth substance on bud development. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 19:714–716

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Varga SS (2009) Eljárás Miscanthus szaporítóanyag előállítására (Patent pending: P 06 00699 Process for production of Miscanthus multiplying material) In: Szabadalmi Közlöny és Védjegyértesítő. 114. year No. 4. Vol.: II p112, 2009.04.28. Available at: http://www.sztnh.gov.hu/kiadv/szkv/200904b-pdf/B_02_Szab_kozzetetel_0904.pdf

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work was funded by the FP7 OPTIMA project “Optimization of Perennial Grasses for Biomass Production (Grant Agreement 289642)”.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Agricoltura, Alimentazione e Ambiente – Di3A, University of Catania, Via Valdisavoia 5, 95123, Catania, Italy

    Danilo Scordia, Venera Copani & Salvatore L. Cosentino

  2. Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Bologna, Viale Giuseppe Fanin 44, 40127, Bologna, Italy

    Federica Zanetti & Andrea Monti

  3. Primus Ltd., Hatvani utca 25, H-1201, Budapest, Hungary

    Szilard Sandor Varga

  4. CRES – Center for Renewable Energy Sources and Saving, 19th Km Marathonos Avenue, 19009, Pikermi Attikis, Greece

    Efthymia Alexopoulou

  5. CNR- IVALSA, UOS di Catania, Via P. Gaifami 18, 95126, Catania, Italy

    Valeria Cavallaro

Authors
  1. Danilo Scordia
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Federica Zanetti
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Szilard Sandor Varga
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Efthymia Alexopoulou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Valeria Cavallaro
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Andrea Monti
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Venera Copani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Salvatore L. Cosentino
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Salvatore L. Cosentino.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Scordia, D., Zanetti, F., Varga, S.S. et al. New Insights into the Propagation Methods of Switchgrass, Miscanthus and Giant Reed. Bioenerg. Res. 8, 1480–1491 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12155-015-9682-2

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12155-015-9682-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation