Objetivo To determine (i) the productivity of Miscanthus sinensis cv. 'giganteus' in North-West Europe; (ii) the nitrogen use, capture and retention by a Miscanthus crop; (iii) the effects of low temperature on the photosynthetic mechanism, on leaf expansion and canopy development. Plants with C4 photosynthesis have a high light energy conversion efficiency into dry matter, however most C4 plants are unable to withstand the low temperatures of northern Europe. 2 grass genera which contain temperate C4 species, Spartina and Miscanthus, are currently being studied to identify biomass crops suitable for the climatic conditions of Northern Europe.For C4 plants grown in Northern Europe recorded yield have been lower that the potential estimated from input of solar radiation. This is thought to be due to a decline in the interception of radiation or a lower dry matter to radiation quotient. All temperate C4 herbaceous perennials investigated so far show a slow rate of canopy development during the early season due to the low temperature coefficient for leaf expansion at the temperatures experienced in spring, and the relatively high threshold temperature at which leaf extension starts. The response of leaf expansion to temperature clearly shows a wide range of variability. This can even occur in the same species, depending on the time of the year at which growth is taking place.The use of herbaceous rhizomatous perennials for biomass production in Europe has been less intensively investigated than other forms of biomass crop production although they have a number of potential advantages over both short rotation forestry and annual biomass crops such as sweet sorghum. These advantages include low establishment costs from a single planting, a short generation time, low nutrient requirements, high efficiency of nutrient uptake and the absence of major pests and diseases. However, there is a need to determine if these potential advantages are in fact realised under defined environmental and edaphic conditions. These species should be particularly advantageous if they have C4 photosynthesis because they are more efficient in their use of light, water and nitrogen than plants with C3 photosynthesis. Most C4 plants are of tropical origin and their productivity under Northern European Cconditions is limited by their inability to grow under cool spring and early summer conditions. We have identified a small number of perennial C4 species that occur naturally in cool climates and these may be suitable for cultivation as biomass crops in Northern Europe. The research programme involves the establishment of productivity trials using Miscanthus and other C4 grasses and adopting the same experimental protocol at sites in the three collaborating countries, i.e. Ireland, U.K. and Denmark. This spread of locations has been chosen to give a range of climatic conditions across the Northern part of the European Community. These trials also form part of the 'Miscanthus Network' coordinated by Hyperion Energy Systems Ltd., Cork, Ireland. In addition each contractor is undertaking more detailed ecophysical work which is aimed primarily at (i) determining the nitrogen use, capture and retention by Miscanthus (ii) determining the effects of low temperature (C) on the photosynthetic mechanism and on leaf expansion and canopy development. The identification and selection of more suitable genotypes of Miscanthus for biomass production is the longer term aim of the work. Ámbito científico natural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesatmospheric sciencesmeteorologysolar radiationsocial scienceseconomics and businesseconomicsproduction economicsproductivityagricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagricultureagricultural sciencesagricultural biotechnologybiomassnatural sciencesbiological sciencesbotany Programa(s) FP2-JOULE 1 - Specific research and technological development programme (EEC) in the field of energy - non-nuclear energies and rational use of energy - (JOULE), 1989-1992 Tema(s) Data not available Convocatoria de propuestas Data not available Régimen de financiación CSC - Cost-sharing contracts Coordinador THE PROVOST, FELLOWS AND SCHOLARS OF THE COLLEGE OF THE HOLY AND UNDIVIDED TRINITY OF QUEEN ELIZABETH NEAR DUBLIN HEREINAFTER TRINITY COLLEGE DUBLIN Aportación de la UE Sin datos Dirección College Green 2 DUBLIN Irlanda Ver en el mapa Coste total Sin datos Participantes (2) Ordenar alfabéticamente Ordenar por aportación de la UE Ampliar todo Contraer todo Institute of Landscape Plants Dinamarca Aportación de la UE Sin datos Dirección 1000 København Ver en el mapa Coste total Sin datos University of Essex Reino Unido Aportación de la UE Sin datos Dirección RM1 Romford Ver en el mapa Coste total Sin datos
