optimising biomass yield

Representation of high carbon flow from fossil fuel through different scenarios to the low emissions of biomass with carbon capture and storage

 

Miscanthus embodies a large number of traits that make it an excellent sustainable source of biomass (Robson et al., 2019)

A picture of a green field with forage grass surrounding large plots of tall Miscanthus grass

 

The mapping population used to make the first high density genetic map for Miscanthus growing near Aberystwyth.

Idealised stem growth curves linked to the many traits such as leaf emergence, cold tolerance, flowering and senescence that control growth

 

Our original aims to improve yield through extending the growing season (Robson et al., 2013) have been updated by new discoveries of the seasonal control of development in Miscanthus (Robson et al., 2019). These discoveries suggest that we need to overcome an inherent biological ceiling to yield that limits seasonal growth and accumulation of biomass even when resources are plentiful.

The picture shows twenty plots of tall Miscanthus grass growing in a field with a background of conventional forage grass cultivation

 

Plots of commercial Miscanthus used to analyse stem growth dynamics (Robson et al., 2019), long term yield trials and analysis of carbon flux in different agricultural systems (Holder et al., 2019)

 

Miscanthus is a new highly productive long season biomass crop used as a source of biorenewable energy and industrial bioproducts. To improve yield we are investigating the genetic and physiological mechanisms that control development in Miscanthus, including crop establishment, early season growth and late season senescence.

 

Approach: We are taking a holistic approach toward optimising crop development and yield across the entire growth period. We manipulate seed and seedling biology, we model yield across different sites to determine Genotype x Environment interactions and we analyse growth and developmental traits to identify successful ideotypes. We are using this knowledge to assist the Miscanthus breeding programme at IBERS. We are using hybrids in mapping families and genome wide association trials to identify loci and marker combinations associated with our traits of interest. We also use long term trials to determine variation in yield, nutrient flux and carbon flux to determine the potential impacts of growing Miscanthus.

 

Potential impact: The NetZero report and other reports outlining the progression and potential impacts of climate change demonstrate the need to capture carbon from atmosphere now. Our programme is contributing to the accelerated domestication of Miscanthus as a leading, fast growing, high yielding crop that captures CO2 from the atmosphere. We use one of the largest diverse collections of Miscanthus to define ideotypes for different environments and end-uses in bioenergy and industrial biotechnology. Our programme delivers global impact across many different growing regions and commercial sectors.

 

Key research insights and findings: We have focussed on optimising year 1 growth of Miscanthus. Miscanthus is normally established from rhizome but we have developed and field tested new propagation methods (Ashman et al., 2018; doi.org.10.1111/gcbb.12518). This allows greater and faster uptake of the crop.

 

We have identified an optimal index of early season traits for efficient selection (Davey et al., 2017; doi:10.1093/jxb/erx339). We have extended this work to identify selection indices to demonstrate the potential gains in breeding programmes from multiple trait selections including late flowering and crop quality traits (Slavov et al., 2019; doi:10.1093/aob/mcy187). Use of these indices allow more focussed selections to be made in breeding.

 

We have identified the impact of flowering control on seasonal of yield and interactions with senescence and crop quality (Jensen et al., 2017; doi: 10.1111/gcbb.12391). We have identified a number of QTL associated with flowering and studied syntenic regions with other crops and identified a loci in common from switchgrass. This provides genetic markers to select for a key biomass trait.

 

We have demonstrated that some environmental interactions that affect flowering are different between perennials and the more commonly researched annual species. Our work shows the importance of biomass flux in controlling development in perennials and highlights the differences between annual and perennial systems.

 

We have identified how stem growth development varies across diverse populations. Fast growing plants grow for shorter periods indicating a seasonal limit to yield may exist (Robson et al., 2019; doi:10.1111/gcbb.12610). Our improved understanding of the perennial control of seasonal growth will allow optimal strategies for yield improvement to be developed.

 

We have established the trends across long term yield trials of up to 14 years using different high yielding hybrid Miscanthus. We have demonstrated that after planting levels of soil organic carbon are quickly replenished and sustained over the long term (Holder et al., 2019; doi:10.1111/gcbb.12624). This work illustrates the benefit of using perennial crops that establish stable soil ecosystems.

 

http://www.miscanthusbreeding.org/

 

Note: If you are viewing this page on a mobile device the associated images will appear below.

 

> Publications

 

^ Top of current page

 

< Return to Miscanthus for Bioenergy and Renewable Feedstock

 

paul robson

ibers website

ppr@aber.ac.uk

www.aber.ac.uk/en/ibers

Images © IBERS, Aberystwyth University

Made with adobe muse and MuseFree.com
Representation of high carbon flow from fossil fuel through different scenarios to the low emissions of biomass with carbon capture and storage A picture of a green field with forage grass surrounding large plots of tall Miscanthus grass Idealised stem growth curves linked to the many traits such as leaf emergence, cold tolerance, flowering and senescence that control growth The picture shows twenty plots of tall Miscanthus grass growing in a field with a background of conventional forage grass cultivation

Representation of high carbon flow from fossil fuel through different scenarios to the low emissions of biomass with carbon capture and storage A picture of a green field with forage grass surrounding large plots of tall Miscanthus grass Idealised stem growth curves linked to the many traits such as leaf emergence, cold tolerance, flowering and senescence that control growth The picture shows twenty plots of tall Miscanthus grass growing in a field with a background of conventional forage grass cultivation