GROWTH DYNAMICS OF PERENNIAL ENERGY GRASS GENUS MISCANTHUS STUDIED IN SLOVAKIA

References: 14th International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference SGEM 2014, www.sgem.org, SGEM2014 Conference Proceedings, ISBN 978-619-7105-15-5 / ISSN 1314-2704, June 19-25, 2014, Book 4, Vol. 1, 253-260 pp

ABSTRACT
In the conditions of the current climate changes, it is essential to develop possibilities of alternative energy sources and thus seek to diversify energy sources. One way of obtaining a “clean energy” is to cultivate biomass for energy purposes. In this paper, the dynamics of aboveground biomass of two Miscanthus genotypes (Miscanthus × giganteus (Greef et Deu) and Miscanthus sinensis (Tatai)) is evaluated in conditions of the south-western Slovakia in the fourth year after the planting. The research was realized in the field trial on the University’s farm located in the village Kolíňany. The observed parameters included the accumulation of the aboveground phytomass (stalks and leaves) and the change of selected growth indicators (number of stalks, plant height and stalk thickness) during the growing season of 2013. The dependence of the phytomass production on the number of shoot and plant height was demonstrated. The maximum dry weight of the aboveground organs per individual plant was reached before the end of the growing season (end of September) and averaged 3348.31 g (Miscanthus × giganteus) and 2858.77 g (Miscanthus sinensis (Tatai)). Statistically significant differences were found among the studied genotypes in the dynamics of the dry matter formation. The total phytomass obtained for the energy utilization is 32.67 tha-1 (Miscanthus × giganteus) and 29.16 t ha-1 (Miscanthus sinensis (Tatai)).

Keywords: Miscanthus, energy grass, phytomass, production potential, south-western Slovakia