Influence of cutting height on biomass yield and quality of miscanthus genotypes
Abstract Commercially achieved biomass yields are often lower than those obtained in scientific plot trials and estimated by crop models. This phenomenon is commonly referred to as the ‘commercial yield gap’. It needs to be understood and managed to achieve the yield expectations that underpin busin...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2021-10-01
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| Series: | GCB Bioenergy |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1111/gcbb.12881 |
| _version_ | 1819242208825442304 |
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| author | Elena Magenau Andreas Kiesel John Clifton‐Brown Iris Lewandowski |
| author_facet | Elena Magenau Andreas Kiesel John Clifton‐Brown Iris Lewandowski |
| author_sort | Elena Magenau |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Commercially achieved biomass yields are often lower than those obtained in scientific plot trials and estimated by crop models. This phenomenon is commonly referred to as the ‘commercial yield gap’. It needs to be understood and managed to achieve the yield expectations that underpin business models. Cutting height at harvest is one of the key factors determining biomass yield and quality. This study quantifies the impacts of cutting heights of diverse genotypes with different morphologies and in years with contrasting weather conditions before and during harvest. Harvests were made in March 2015 and March 2018 of six diverse miscanthus genotypes planted as part of the ‘OPTIMISC project’ in 2013 near Stuttgart, Germany. Biomass yield, dry matter content and nutrient concentrations were analysed in four 10 cm fractions working upwards from the ground level and a fifth fraction with the shoot biomass higher than 40 cm. As stems are slightly tapered (i.e. diameter decreases slightly with increasing cutting height), it was hypothesized that low cutting may lead to yield gains, but that these may be associated with lower quality biomass with higher moisture and higher nutrient offtakes. We calculated average yield losses of 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 genotype and year interactions, total nitrogen (1.89 mg g−1), phosphorus (0.51 mg g−1), potassium (3.72 mg g−1) and calcium (0.89 mg g−1) concentrations did not differ significantly from the concentrations in the lower basal sections. Overall, cutting height had a limited influence on nutrient and moisture content. Therefore, we recommend that cutting is performed as low as is practically possible with the available machinery and local ground surface conditions to maximize biomass yield. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-23T14:36:09Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-344fb0d8975f43f98266beece09ff924 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1757-1693 1757-1707 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-23T14:36:09Z |
| publishDate | 2021-10-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | GCB Bioenergy |
| spelling | doaj.art-344fb0d8975f43f98266beece09ff9242022-12-21T17:43:21ZengWileyGCB Bioenergy1757-16931757-17072021-10-0113101675168910.1111/gcbb.12881Influence of cutting height on biomass yield and quality of miscanthus genotypesElena Magenau0Andreas Kiesel1John Clifton‐Brown2Iris Lewandowski3Department of Biobased Resources in the Bioeconomy Institute of Crop Science University of Hohenheim Stuttgart GermanyDepartment of Biobased Resources in the Bioeconomy Institute of Crop Science University of Hohenheim Stuttgart GermanyInstitute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences Aberystwyth University Aberystwyth UKDepartment of Biobased Resources in the Bioeconomy Institute of Crop Science University of Hohenheim Stuttgart GermanyAbstract Commercially achieved biomass yields are often lower than those obtained in scientific plot trials and estimated by crop models. This phenomenon is commonly referred to as the ‘commercial yield gap’. It needs to be understood and managed to achieve the yield expectations that underpin business models. Cutting height at harvest is one of the key factors determining biomass yield and quality. This study quantifies the impacts of cutting heights of diverse genotypes with different morphologies and in years with contrasting weather conditions before and during harvest. Harvests were made in March 2015 and March 2018 of six diverse miscanthus genotypes planted as part of the ‘OPTIMISC project’ in 2013 near Stuttgart, Germany. Biomass yield, dry matter content and nutrient concentrations were analysed in four 10 cm fractions working upwards from the ground level and a fifth fraction with the shoot biomass higher than 40 cm. As stems are slightly tapered (i.e. diameter decreases slightly with increasing cutting height), it was hypothesized that low cutting may lead to yield gains, but that these may be associated with lower quality biomass with higher moisture and higher nutrient offtakes. We calculated average yield losses of 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 genotype and year interactions, total nitrogen (1.89 mg g−1), phosphorus (0.51 mg g−1), potassium (3.72 mg g−1) and calcium (0.89 mg g−1) concentrations did not differ significantly from the concentrations in the lower basal sections. Overall, cutting height had a limited influence on nutrient and moisture content. Therefore, we recommend that cutting is performed as low as is practically possible with the available machinery and local ground surface conditions to maximize biomass yield.https://doi.org/10.1111/gcbb.12881cutting heightharvest lossMiscanthusperennial biomass cropstubble heightyield difference |
| spellingShingle | Elena Magenau Andreas Kiesel John Clifton‐Brown Iris Lewandowski Influence of cutting height on biomass yield and quality of miscanthus genotypes GCB Bioenergy cutting height harvest loss Miscanthus perennial biomass crop stubble height yield difference |
| title | Influence of cutting height on biomass yield and quality of miscanthus genotypes |
| title_full | Influence of cutting height on biomass yield and quality of miscanthus genotypes |
| title_fullStr | Influence of cutting height on biomass yield and quality of miscanthus genotypes |
| title_full_unstemmed | Influence of cutting height on biomass yield and quality of miscanthus genotypes |
| title_short | Influence of cutting height on biomass yield and quality of miscanthus genotypes |
| title_sort | influence of cutting height on biomass yield and quality of miscanthus genotypes |
| topic | cutting height harvest loss Miscanthus perennial biomass crop stubble height yield difference |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1111/gcbb.12881 |
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