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Publication Date

1997

Location

Manitoba and Saskatchewan

Description

Optimal production of energy from biomass necessitates the identification and management of high yielding plant entries. Erianthus arundinaceum (Retz) Jesw. IK-76-110 was tested to determine the influence of harvest treatments at heights of 1.2, 2.5, and 3.7 m and mature in October (4.9 m), and mature in December (4.9 m and in flower) on agronomic characteristics from 1987 to 1990. All treatments received 25 kg ha-1 P and 93 kg ha-1 yr-1 K in one spring application and 336 kg ha-1 N in split applications applied prior to the growth of each harvest. An additional October treatment at the mature stage received similar P and K but only 168 kg ha-1 N. Plants repeatedly harvested (4 yr) at the 1.2 m height produced low dry biomass (DB) yields (5.2 Mg ha-1) and had a 100% plant stand loss, whereas plants harvested at mature stage December had a 51.5 Mg ha-1 average yield with no plant loss. Leaf area index was maximum (17) at 3.1 m plant height. Nitrogen concentration and IVOMD in plant tissue decreased with maturity. Harvesting Erianthus at 2.5 m and up to maturity produced high DB yields with extended stand longevity.

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Changes in Agronomic Characteristics with Maturity of Erianthus IK-76-110

Manitoba and Saskatchewan

Optimal production of energy from biomass necessitates the identification and management of high yielding plant entries. Erianthus arundinaceum (Retz) Jesw. IK-76-110 was tested to determine the influence of harvest treatments at heights of 1.2, 2.5, and 3.7 m and mature in October (4.9 m), and mature in December (4.9 m and in flower) on agronomic characteristics from 1987 to 1990. All treatments received 25 kg ha-1 P and 93 kg ha-1 yr-1 K in one spring application and 336 kg ha-1 N in split applications applied prior to the growth of each harvest. An additional October treatment at the mature stage received similar P and K but only 168 kg ha-1 N. Plants repeatedly harvested (4 yr) at the 1.2 m height produced low dry biomass (DB) yields (5.2 Mg ha-1) and had a 100% plant stand loss, whereas plants harvested at mature stage December had a 51.5 Mg ha-1 average yield with no plant loss. Leaf area index was maximum (17) at 3.1 m plant height. Nitrogen concentration and IVOMD in plant tissue decreased with maturity. Harvesting Erianthus at 2.5 m and up to maturity produced high DB yields with extended stand longevity.