Die Bodenkultur - Journal for Land Management, Food and Environment

H. SCHWARZ, P. LIEBHARD, K. EHRENDORFER and P. RUCKENBAUER:

Course of yield of Miscanthus sinensis "Giganteus" at two field sites in Austria

Summary

Miscanthus simensie "Giganteus" should be used as renewable energysource in Austria. Therefore the influence of climate, time of harvest, fertilizing and age of stand on yield, water and nitrogen content were investigated. In February of the second year after planting the yield varies between 8.2 and 14.7 t/ha, in the third year between 21.8 und 24.5 t/ha. In February of the second year the water content of Miscanthus is higher than 42 % and in the third year higher than 30 %. Sufficient rain (about 800 mm) in mild climates is very important to achieve a high yield-level. At sites with more rain the water content of the plants is higher. The yield of Miscanthus is highest in August/September and from that time the yield decreases because of senescent leaves. In September water content is around 60 %. Different amounts of fertilization have no clear influence on yield and water content. At the beginning of the growing season the nitrogen content of the plants is at the highest level and decreases afterwards. In February of the second year the nitrogen content is about 6 g/kg, in the third year between 4.5 und 5 g/kg. More intensive nitrogen fertilizing increases the nitrogen content of the plants. Keywords: Miscanthus sinensis "Giganteus", biomass, biogen raw material, renewable energy, lignocellulose.