Projects per year
Abstract
Miscanthus is a perennial energy grass predominantly used for combustion but there is increasing interest in fermenting the cell-wall carbohydrates or green-cutting for soluble sugars to produce bioethanol. Our aims were to: (1) quantify non-structural carbohydrates (NSC), (2) observe the timing of seasonal shifts in the stems and rhizome, and (3) identify developmental and/or climatic conditions that promoted carbohydrate remobilization from the stems to the rhizome during senescence. Two genotypes of Miscanthus sinensis, a Miscanthus sacchariflorus and a Miscanthus × giganteus were grown at replicated field sites in Aberystwyth, West Wales and Harpenden, South East England. NSC were quantified from the rhizome and aboveground organs and then correlated with climatic data collected from on-site weather stations. PAR and maximum daily temperatures were higher at Harpenden throughout the year, but daily minimum temperatures were lower. Senescence was accelerated at Harpenden. Carbohydrates were retained within the stems of non-flowering genotypes, at both sites, in winter and were still present after a frost event to −2 °C. Rhizome starch concentrations were at least equal to the previous winter’s levels (February 2011) by September. Lower daily minimum temperatures accelerate the rate of senescence and warmer daily maximum temperatures cannot counteract this effect. At current yields, M. × giganteus, could produce 0.7 t ha−1 of NSC in addition to ligno-cellulosic biomass in November but with concerted breeding efforts this could be targeted for improvement as has been achieved in other crops. Shifting harvests forward to November would not leave the rhizome depleted of carbohydrates.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 28-41 |
Number of pages | 14 |
Journal | Bioenergy Research |
Volume | 8 |
Issue number | 1 |
Early online date | 01 Jul 2014 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 31 Mar 2015 |
Keywords
- Genotypes
- Climate
- Temperature
- Temperature
- Miscanthus
- Rhizome
- Senescence
- Bioenergy
- Carbohydrates
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Dive into the research topics of 'Seasonal Carbohydrate Dynamics and Climatic Regulation of Senescence in the Perennial Grass, Miscanthus'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Profiles
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Chris Davey
- Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, Institute of Biological, Environmental & Rural Sciences (IBERS) - Post-Doctoral Research Fellow in population genomics
Person: Research
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Iain Donnison
- Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, Institute of Biological, Environmental & Rural Sciences (IBERS) - Professor
- Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, Department of Life Sciences - Head of Department - Biological Environmental and Rural Sciences
Person: Teaching And Research
Projects
- 1 Finished
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Genetic resources for the dissection of bioenergy traits
Donnison, I. & Clifton-Brown, J.
01 Apr 2012 → 31 Mar 2017
Project: Externally funded research