Optimizing Miscanthus Biomass Production - Presentation of the OPTIMISC Project

Publikations-Art

Kongressbeitrag

Autoren

Lewandowski I, Kalinina O, Clifton-Brown J, Farrar K, Donnison I, Trindade L, Dolstra O, Van der Linden G, Roldan-Ruiz I, Muylle H, Lootens P, Harding G, Mos M, Schwarz KU, Müller-Sämann K, Xi Q, Özgüven M, Chochlov N, Tarakanow I, Schüle H

Erscheinungsjahr

2012

Veröffentlicht in

Proceedings of the 20th EU BC&E - Biomass resources - Energy crops and energy grasses

ISBN / ISSN / eISSN

978-88-89407-54-7

DOI

10.5071/20thEUBCE2012-1DV.2.68

Seite (von - bis)

651 - 654

Tagungsname

20th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition

Tagungsort

Milan

Miscanthus is a C4 perennial rhizomatous grass originating from Eastern Asia
that has become a leading candidate crop for production of a lignocellulosic
feedstock for a biobased economy in Europe. Research over the past 20 years has
shown that a few key species and their interspecific hybrids have a high yield
potential for bioenergy as well as other biomass-derived products requiring low
inputs. At present the production of miscanthus is dominated by one genotype,
Miscanthus x giganteus. The main objective of the OPTIMISC project is to broaden
the genetic base for miscanthus. For this purpose promising germplasm from M.
sacchariflorus, M. sinensis and M. x giganteus and cross-breeds thereof have
been selected and will be tested for their tolerance and suitability to adverse
soil and climatic conditions and for the suitability of the biomass to provide
feedstock for energetic use or higher quality products. Major activities within
OPTIMSC are the screening of traits for salinity, drought, cold and freezing
stress in controlled environments and in field trials as well as testing the
performance of novel genotypes on small to large scale. Options for using the
biomass of different miscanthus genotypes for energetic and material uses are
explored. Recommendations will be made with regard to cost reduction and
environmental performance (LCA) of specific value chains. Decision support will
be given for the selection and cultivation of suitable genotypes intended for
different applications in different environments.