Iowa study suggests miscanthus would yield more biomass in Iowa soil than originally thought
23 July 2014
Miscanthus, a perennial grass with vast potential to produce biomass, would deliver even better yields than once thought in Iowa, according to research by agronomists at Iowa State University. The research indicates that miscanthus could have a major role to play in the future of Iowa agriculture, both as a source of biomass for energy and as a means of protecting the environment, said Emily Heaton, an assistant professor of agronomy, project leader and co-author of the study.
The paper, published earlier this year in the journal Industry Crops and Products, looked at Miscanthus x giganteus, a sterile hybrid of the plant that cannot reproduce from seed and spreads slowly. The paper found that the miscanthus hybrid had low mortality rates when faced with harsh Iowa winters.
The article also reports that yields in the second year of the study were not significantly lower than the third year. That’s important because miscanthus usually doesn’t hit its peak production until the third year, Heaton said.
Heaton is working to figure out just what place miscanthus and other perennial grasses should have in the Iowa agricultural landscape. She said between 10 and 20% of acres devoted to corn lose money for Iowa farmers every year. Those sections produce lower yields than the surrounding acres, usually due to patchy or poor soil conditions.
Those subprime unprofitable acres may be better suited for a plant such as miscanthus, she said.
The miscanthus variety Heaton is studying doesn’t reproduce on its own, a feature that would keep the plants from becoming invasive pests to farmers. The variety also produces an abundance of biomass that can be burned for energy or converted into fuel.
Heaton said she’s studying a range of perennial grasses for their suitability to Iowa farmland. She said miscanthus is an important part of the equation, but switchgrass and prairie cordgrass also show promise.
Her vision for Iowa’s farmland resembles a patchwork quilt where perennial grasses and prairieland grow alongside corn and soybeans. And the benefits of such a system would be every bit as diverse, she said.
Heaton said the environmental benefits of perennial grasses could outweigh the monetary gains of new sources for biomass. When planted on marginal and subprime land, the grasses prevent soil erosion and protect water quality.
Resources
Nicholas N. Boersma, Emily A. Heaton (2014) “Does propagation method affect yield and survival? The potential of Miscanthus x giganteus in Iowa, USA” Industrial Crops and Products, Volume 57, Pages 43-51 doi: 10.1016/j.indcrop.2014.01.058
Yup!
Posted by: SJC | 23 July 2014 at 04:41 PM
Sounds like a win-win to me.
Posted by: sd | 23 July 2014 at 05:56 PM
Aalso, miscanthus needs neither fetilizers nor pesticides; once planted it'll endure for approx. 4 yrs. and can be harvested twice a year.
Posted by: yoatmon | 24 July 2014 at 04:21 AM
It needs a lot of water if you want good yields.
It can hang on in scrubby conditions (good for soil retention), but if you want a lot of biomass, you need water.
Posted by: mahonj | 24 July 2014 at 04:39 AM
Yes, it needs about 3 acre feet per year. It is suitable where they get a lot of natural rainfall. Ohio might be good but Nebraska might not.
Posted by: SJC | 24 July 2014 at 06:15 AM