Biomass yield components for 12 switchgrass cultivars grown in Northern China. (July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yue, Yuesen; Hou, Xincun; Fan, Xifeng; Zhu, Yi; Zhao, Chunqiao; Wu, Juying
• Is Part Of: Biomass and bioenergy. Volume 102(2017:Jul.)
• Page Start: 44
• Page End: 51
• Publication Date: 2017-07
• Subjects: Switchgrass -- Cultivars -- Biomass yield -- Plant height -- Tiller -- Phytomer; Biomass energy -- Periodicals; Biomass -- Periodicals; Energy-Generating Resources -- Periodicals; Bioénergie -- Périodiques; 333.9539
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biombioe.2017.05.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0961-9534

Abstract

Abstract: Switchgrass ( Panicum virgatum L.) has been developed into a major herbaceous bioenergy crop for the production of cellulosic biofuels in North America and many counties in European. As cultivar selection has a major impact on the ultimate biomass productivity, we evaluated the adaptability and yield potential of 12 switchgrass cultivars including both upland and lowland ecotypes from 2010 to 2013 in the Beijing region, Northern China. Plant height was measured after anthesis, but phytomer number and tiller density were investigated at harvest. One single autumn harvest was carried out each year and biomass yields were determined. It was found that the lowland cultivars 'Alamo', 'Kanlow' and 'NewYork' produced the most biomass for their better performances in number of phytomers per tiller and mass per phytomer, though upland cultivars had higher tiller density. 'Cave-in-rock' and 'Trailblazer' had better biomass production among the upland cultivars and they were also recommended for planting together with lowland ones for their excellent cold tolerance in this region. Highlights: Biomass yields and potential of 12 switchgrass cultivars were evaluated in the Beijing region, Northern China. Agronomic characters of the cultivars were investigated, and their biomass yield components were analysed. The suitable candidate cultivars were recommended for planting in this region.