By Emily Heaton
A new publication, Identifying Miscanthus in Iowa (CROP 3039) released by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, provides information needed to decipher among three different species of Miscanthus found in Iowa. Included is information on the species being evaluated for its bioenergy potential and two others that have become invasive across the United States.
Here in Iowa, Miscanthus is a relatively common grass genus that people can often spot growing along roadsides (M. sacchariflorus), while some may even have it growing in their gardens (M. sinensis).
Catherine Bonin, agronomy research associate at Iowa State University said, “Our lab has been examining the invasive risks of M. sacchariflorus and the ornamental species M. sinensis, and our research suggests that M. sacchariflorus in particular poses a significant invasive potential in Iowa. It is capable of producing running rhizomes that can rapidly increase the size of a single patch. Because of this, it may pose a considerable risk to natural ecosystems.”
Another species, M. x giganteus, is not invasive and is being planted as a biomass crop for bioenergy. M. x giganteus can grow up to 12 feet and was planted on more than 350 acres in Iowa this year. This species is sterile and unable to produce viable seeds, the key difference between this species and the others.
“With the increased attention to M. x giganteus as one of the newest crops to be considered for bioenergy, this publication comes at a great time to aid people in knowing the difference between the three species,” said Emily Heaton, associate professor of agronomy at Iowa State University.
Bonin and Heaton, along with Nicholas Boersma created the Miscanthus identification guide to help people learn about the three species of Miscanthus that are found in Iowa and to help distinguish among the biomass crop, ornamental and invasive species.
Heaton’s bioenergy work is in partnership with the University of Iowa’s Biomass Fuel Project. The project is aimed to reduce the use of fossil fuels by substituting renewable resources such as Miscanthus. The crop is burned along with coal in the University of Iowa’s solid fuel burner.
Source:iastate.edu