Browsing by Person "Magenau, Elena"

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Integrating perennial biomass crops into crop rotations: How to remove miscanthus and switchgrass without glyphosate
(2023) Lewin, Eva; Kiesel, Andreas; Magenau, Elena; Lewandowski, Iris
Perennial energy grasses have gained attention in recent years as a promising resource for the bioeconomy because of their benign environmental profile, high stress tolerance, high biomass yields and low input requirements. Currently, strong breeding efforts are being made to extend the range of commercially available miscanthus and switchgrass genotypes. In order to foster farmers' acceptance of these crops, and especially of novel hybrids, more information is required about how they can be efficiently integrated into cropping rotations, how they can be removed at the end of their productive lifespan, and what effect they have on subsequently grown crops. Farmers in Europe are meanwhile increasingly constrained in the methods available to them to remove these crops, and there is a risk that the herbicide glyphosate, which has been used in many studies to remove them, will be banned in coming years. This study looks at the removal of seven‐year‐old stands of miscanthus and switchgrass over 1 year at an experimental site in Southern‐Germany. Three novel miscanthus genotypes were studied, alongside one variety of switchgrass, and the impact of each crop's removal on the yield of maize grown as a follow‐on crop was examined. A combination of soil tillage and grass herbicides for maize cultivation was successful in controlling miscanthus regrowth, such that yields of maize grown after miscanthus did not differ significantly from yields of maize grown in monoculture rotation (18.1 t dry biomass ha−1). Yields of maize grown after switchgrass (14.4 t dry biomass ha−1) were significantly lower than maize in monoculture rotation caused by insufficient control of switchgrass regrowth by the applied maize herbicide. Although some regrowth of miscanthus and switchgrass was observed in the follow‐on crop maize, complete eradication of both crops was achieved by subsequent winter wheat cultivation.
Introducing new miscanthus hybrids into the European bioeconomy : the effect of environment and management on biomass quantity and quality
(2023) Magenau, Elena; Lewandowski, Iris
Miscanthus has been identified as a promising lignocellulosic perennial biomass crop for temperate climates and different (marginal) soils in terms of yield and ecological benefits. The cultivation of miscanthus brings numerous ecological advantages, such as a reduction in soil erosion, protection of aquatic ecosystems from alteration through eutrophication, and increasing heterogeneity in annual arable landscapes leading to increased biodiversity compared to annual crops. Reasons for this are its perenniality, the long period of time it stands on the field, and its low fertiliser and plant protection demands. Nevertheless, the area under cultivation in Europe is limited. The reasons are that the scientific yield levels are not reached commercially, and the only commercially cultivated hybrid Miscanthus × giganteus (M×g) is sterile. Miscanthus is therefore currently propagated and established via rhizomes, which limits upscaling. However, the seed-based hybrids tested so far do not reach the potential of M×g in terms of yield, quality, and ecological impact under a wide range of climatic conditions. To improve the integration of miscanthus as a biomass crop in the growing European bioeconomy, it is required to reach high and stable yields over several years (security of biomass supply) and a low ecological impact by low nutrient offtakes under different European climates. Therefore, it is essential to gain agronomic knowledge on how genetic (G), location-specific environment (E), and management (M) factors and the interactions between them affect the security of biomass supply and ecosystem services of novel seed-based hybrids. Against this background, the research objectives of this study are: 1) to investigate the effect of the onset of the growing season on biomass supply security and how it is affected by late spring frosts, 2) to assess G × E interaction effects on miscanthus biomass security, and 3) to assess G × E × M interaction effects on nutrient offtake, yield and quality of miscanthus biomass. For this purpose, new seed- and rhizome-based miscanthus hybrids were compared with the commercially grown M×g and evaluated for biomass yield, quality, and nutrient offtakes (a key parameter defining the ecological impact) under different European conditions to determine biomass supply security and ecological effects. The effect of the management parameters cutting height and harvest time was also analysed. The results show that to reach a high biomass supply security, avoiding damage by late spring frosts is essential. An effective mechanism is a low frost sensitiveness of the emerging shoots and to produce new shoots over the whole growth period, as observed for the seed-based M. sinensis × sinensis (M sin×sin). By contrast, a late emergence and producing fewer, thicker but frost-susceptible shoots at the beginning of the growing season, as observed for rhizome-based M×g and rhizome- and seed-based M. sacchariflorus × sinensis (M sac×sin), endangers the biomass supply security in case of frost after emerging. Over the first three years, the establishment process of miscanthus depended on location and hybrid. The M sin×sin hybrids flowered and senesced earlier than the taller M sac×sin hybrids. Active senescence, probably initiated by flowering, increases biomass quality by reducing the moisture and nutrient content. Following the third growing season, the highest yields were recorded at the low-altitude site in northern Italy and the lowest on a industrially damaged marginal land site in northern France. Moisture contents at spring harvest were lowest in Croatia and highest in Wales, United Kingdom. A lower moisture content is highly desirable for transport, storage and most end-use applications. Overall, lower moisture contents at harvest were found in M sin×sin hybrids than in M sac×sin. As expected, delaying the harvest until spring reduced yield and nutrient contents. At lower latitudes, the late-ripening M sac×sin combined high yields with low nutrient contents when harvested in spring. At the most elevated latitude location (Wales), the early-ripening M sin×sin combined high biomass yields with low nutrient offtakes. The M×g clone with intermediate flowering and senescence showed similarly low nutrient contents at all locations. An increased cutting height at spring harvest decreased yields by 270 kg ha-1 (0.83%) with each 1-cm increase in cutting height up to 40 cm. Although whole shoot mineral concentrations were significantly influenced by both hybrid and year interactions, total nutrient contents did not differ significantly from those in the lower basal sections. In years with wet conditions before harvest, an increase in cutting height of 10 cm decreased moisture content by up to 8%, whereas the effect during dry conditions was marginal. To achieve high biomass supply security and increased ecological benefits in miscanthus cultivation, the results of this study lead to the recommendation to cultivate M sin×sin hybrids at locations with a high risk of late spring frosts, as observed in northern European sites, and M sac×sin hybrids at locations where the risk is low, as observed in southern Europe. In southern Europe, M sac×sin hybrids achieved high yields with low nutrient and moisture contents as they made use of the long vegetation period. In general, M sin×sin has a shorter growth period than M sac×sin hybrids, making it the perfect hybrid for northern Europe, where the vegetation period is short. To ensure biomass supply in regions with extreme minimum winter temperatures and late spring frosts, miscanthus should be harvested in spring due to the thicker mulch layer, which functions as insulation. To ensure biomass supply security, a successful establishment is essential. Therefore, during the establishment phase, harvest should generally take place in spring, as the establishment period is crucial for securing biomass yield throughout the cultivation period. Weakening or even loss of plants during this period will lead to higher weed pressure and lower than optimal yields. The harvest cutting height should be as low as possible to achieve a higher yield without an over-proportional increase in nutrient offtake. However, cutting height needs to be adapted according to local conditions by finding an optimum between biomass loss and the risk of damage to harvest machinery and contamination of the biomass by soil. Should the moisture content of the biomass be too high for safe storage due to wet conditions during harvest, the cutting height can be increased to avoid costly post-harvest drying procedures. This study recommends hybrids for specific locations in Europe, provides important data for determining harvest timing and height, and key data on the ecological impact. It shows that the cultivation of miscanthus in Europe, taking into account the G × E × M interactions, has the potential to secure the biomass supply for the growing bioeconomy while positively influencing the provision of ecosystem services. Furthermore, integrating miscanthus into the agricultural system increases its resilience by diversifying the crops grown, the structure of the agricultural landscape and farmers income.
Perennial biomass cropping and use: Shaping the policy ecosystem in European countries
(2023) Clifton‐Brown, John; Hastings, Astley; von Cossel, Moritz; Murphy‐Bokern, Donal; McCalmont, Jon; Whitaker, Jeanette; Alexopoulou, Efi; Amaducci, Stefano; Andronic, Larisa; Ashman, Christopher; Awty‐Carroll, Danny; Bhatia, Rakesh; Breuer, Lutz; Cosentino, Salvatore; Cracroft‐Eley, William; Donnison, Iain; Elbersen, Berien; Ferrarini, Andrea; Ford, Judith; Greef, Jörg; Ingram, Julie; Lewandowski, Iris; Magenau, Elena; Mos, Michal; Petrick, Martin; Pogrzeba, Marta; Robson, Paul; Rowe, Rebecca L.; Sandu, Anatolii; Schwarz, Kai‐Uwe; Scordia, Danilo; Scurlock, Jonathan; Shepherd, Anita; Thornton, Judith; Trindade, Luisa M.; Vetter, Sylvia; Wagner, Moritz; Wu, Pei‐Chen; Yamada, Toshihiko; Kiesel, Andreas
Demand for sustainably produced biomass is expected to increase with the need to provide renewable commodities, improve resource security and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with COP26 commitments. Studies have demonstrated additional environmental benefits of using perennial biomass crops (PBCs), when produced appropriately, as a feedstock for the growing bioeconomy, including utilisation for bioenergy (with or without carbon capture and storage). PBCs can potentially contribute to Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) (2023–27) objectives provided they are carefully integrated into farming systems and landscapes. Despite significant research and development (R&D) investment over decades in herbaceous and coppiced woody PBCs, deployment has largely stagnated due to social, economic and policy uncertainties. This paper identifies the challenges in creating policies that are acceptable to all actors. Development will need to be informed by measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) of greenhouse gas emissions reductions and other environmental, economic and social metrics. It discusses interlinked issues that must be considered in the expansion of PBC production: (i) available land; (ii) yield potential; (iii) integration into farming systems; (iv) R&D requirements; (v) utilisation options; and (vi) market systems and the socio‐economic environment. It makes policy recommendations that would enable greater PBC deployment: (1) incentivise farmers and land managers through specific policy measures, including carbon pricing, to allocate their less productive and less profitable land for uses which deliver demonstrable greenhouse gas reductions; (2) enable greenhouse gas mitigation markets to develop and offer secure contracts for commercial developers of verifiable low‐carbon bioenergy and bioproducts; (3) support innovation in biomass utilisation value chains; and (4) continue long‐term, strategic R&D and education for positive environmental, economic and social sustainability impacts.
Site impacts nutrient translocation efficiency in intraspecies and interspecies miscanthus hybrids on marginal lands
(2022) Magenau, Elena; Clifton‐Brown, John; Awty‐Carroll, Danny; Ashman, Chris; Ferrarini, Andrea; Kontek, Mislav; Martani, Enrico; Roderick, Kevin; Amaducci, Stefano; Davey, Chris; Jurišić, Vanja; Kam, Jason; Trindade, Luisa M.; Lewandowski, Iris; Kiesel, Andreas
Miscanthus, a C4 perennial rhizomatous grass, is capable of growing in varied climates and soil types in Europe, including on marginal lands. It can produce high yields with low nutrient inputs when harvested after complete senescence. Senescence induction and rate depend on complex genetic, environmental, and management interactions. To explore these interactions, we analysed four miscanthus hybrids (two novel seed‐based hybrids, GRC 3 [Miscanthus sinensis × sinensis] and GRC 14 [M. sacchariflorus × sinensis]; GRC 15, a novel M. sacchariflorus × sinensis clone; and GRC 9, a standard Miscanthus × giganteus clone) in Italy, Croatia, Germany and the UK. Over all trial locations and hybrids, the average aboveground biomass of the 3‐year‐old stands in August 2020 was 15 t DM ha−1 with nutrient contents of 7.6 mg N g−1 and 14.6 mg K g−1. As expected, delaying the harvest until spring reduced overall yield and nutrient contents (12 t DM ha−1, 3.3 mg N g−1, and 5.5 mg K g−1). At lower latitudes, the late‐ripening M. sacchariflorus × sinensis GRC 14 and GRC 15 combined high yields with low nutrient contents. At the most elevated latitude location (UK), the early‐ripening M. sinensis × sinensis combined high biomass yields with low nutrient offtakes. The clonal Miscanthus × giganteus with intermediate flowering and senescence attained similar low nutrient contents by spring harvest at all four locations. Seasonal changes in yield and nutrient levels analysed in this study provide: (1) a first step towards recommending hybrids for specific locations and end uses in Europe; (2) crucial data for determination of harvest time and practical steps in the valorization of biomass; and (3) key sustainability data for life cycle assessments. Identification of trade‐offs resulting from genetic × environment × management interactions is critical for increasing sustainable biomass supply from miscanthus grown on marginal lands.
Social assessment of miscanthus cultivation in Croatia: Assessing farmers' preferences and willingness to cultivate the crop
(2023) Marting Vidaurre, Nirvana A.; Jurišić, Vanja; Bieling, Claudia; Magenau, Elena; Wagner, Moritz; Kiesel, Andreas; Lewandowski, Iris
Social aspects of miscanthus cultivation have been investigated in a limited way in the scientific literature. Adopting existing frameworks for social life‐cycle assessment enables assessments to include numerous social aspects; however, the relevance of these aspects depends on the local context. This study aims to identify the most relevant social aspects from the farmers' perspective using a previously proposed framework for the assessment of the stakeholder ‘farmer’. It is based on a case study for miscanthus production in Sisak Moslavina in Croatia. The existence of abandoned lands in Croatia presents an opportunity for the cultivation of miscanthus as a potential source of biomass for the production of bio‐based materials and fuels. The study seeks to assess the feasibility of cultivating miscanthus in the region, taking into account potential challenges and opportunities, as well as farmers' willingness to adopt the crop, and to understand the reasons behind land abandonment. We conducted a survey among 44 farmers in the region and used a scoring method to identify the most relevant social aspects. The aspects most valued by the farmers were health and safety, access to water, land consolidation and rights, income and local employment, and food security. Responses to the question of whether they would adopt the crop highlight the importance of an established market, good trading conditions and profitability of cultivation. The survey also enabled an understanding of farmers' preferences with respect to the production conditions of crops. The farmers regarded the provision of subsidies as one of the main factors that render a crop attractive. Opportunities for the adoption of the miscanthus cultivation include high yields and low input requirements. Barriers include land conflicts and land availability. Despite the opportunities for miscanthus development in the region, there are important challenges to consider for successful implementation of the crop.
Spring emergence and canopy development strategies in miscanthus hybrids in Mediterranean, continental and maritime European climates
(2023) Magenau, Elena; Clifton‐Brown, John; Parry, Catherine; Ashman, Chris; Awty‐Carroll, Danny; Ferrarini, Andrea; Kontek, Mislav; Martani, Enrico; Amaducci, Stefano; Davey, Chris; Dolstra, Oene; Jurišić, Vanja; Kam, Jason; Trindade, Luisa M.; Lewandowski, Iris; Kiesel, Andreas
Due to its versatility and storability, biomass is an important resource for renewable materials and energy. Miscanthus hybrids combine high yield potential, low input demand, tolerance of certain marginal land types and several ecosystem benefits. To date, miscanthus breeding has focussed on increasing yield potential by maximising radiation interception through: (1) selection for early emergence, (2) increasing the growth rate to reach canopy closure as fast as possible, and (3) delayed flowering and senescence. The objective of this study is to compare early season re‐growth in miscanthus hybrids cultivated across Europe. Determination of differences in early canopy development on end‐of‐year yield traits is required to provide information for breeding decisions to improve future crop performance. For this purpose, a trial was planted with four miscanthus hybrids (two novel seed‐based hybrids M. sinensis × sinensis [M sin × sin] and M. sacchariflorus × sinensis [M sac × sin], a novel rhizome‐based M sac × sin and a standard Miscanthus × giganteus [M × g] clone) in the UK, Germany, Croatia and Italy, and was monitored in the third and fourth growing season. We determined differences between the hybrids in base temperature, frost sensitivity and emergence strategy. M × g and M sac × sin mainly emerged from belowground plant organs, producing fewer but thicker shoots at the beginning of the growing season but these shoots were susceptible to air frosts (determined by recording 0°C 2 m above ground surface). By contrast, M sin × sin emerged 10 days earlier, avoiding damage by late spring frosts and producing a high number of thinner shoots from aboveground shoots. Therefore, we recommend cultivating M sac × sin at locations with low risk and M sin × sin at locations with higher risk of late spring frosts. Selecting miscanthus hybrids that produce shoots throughout the vegetation period is an effective strategy to limit the risk of late frost damage and avoid reduction in yield from a shortened growing season.