engleski

Introducing of Miscanthus as an energy crop in to agricultural production in Croatia

The perennial grass Miscanthus x giganteus proved to be an interesting and highly valuable agricultural source of renewable energy. Here, the aim is to determine the potential of growing Miscanthus x giganteus in different ecological conditions in Croatia, mainly in poor soils, so that this production of biomass for renewable energy would not compete with food production. The experimental lots, with average surface of 3000 m2, were set up at eleven locations in the continental plain and mountainous areas of Croatia and in the country’s sub-Mediterranean area. The planting of rhizome was carried out in the period from 26 April to 3 May 2011. In the year of planting the following properties were monitored: stand establishment and plant density before the end of vegetation period, weediness, and plant height. The most favourable stand establishment and plant denity before the end of vegetation (around 95%), the highest plant at the end of vegetation (120-220 cm) and the lowest weediness were recorded at the location of Donja Bistra and in the Faculty of Agriculture's Grassland Research Centre in Medvednica. At all locations the plant growth was significantly slowed by the drought, especially in the sub- Mediterranean area. In order to estimate the energy potential of the crop in the third year of the cultivation, the year of its full yield, the energy properties of the Miscanthus x giganteus grown in Germany and Slovakia were determined. The analyses of the described samples determined that energy value was between 17.04 and 17.69 MJ/kg, with cellulose content of 50.69 to 51.34%.

Miscanthus x giganteus; location; plant stand; plant height; energy value

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