Miscanthus (Miscanthus x giganteus)

Slideshow of images for Wales Energy Crops Information Centre

Miscanthus is a C4 grass which originated in Asia. It is a recognised biomass crop in many parts of the world and has been trialed successfully under Welsh conditions and has now been planted for commercial use. It is an excellent fuel crop for a number of reasons:

As a plant with a C4 photosynthetic pathway it has very efficient conversion of radiation to biomass and hence a higher dry matter yield potential than C3 crops such as wheat.
It is a perennial crop and as a result annual soil cultivations are avoided saving further energy use..
It has an energy ratio of 36:1. i.e. It produces 36 x more energy than is needed to produce it). As a C4 crop it also makes more efficient use of water and nitrogen.
It can be harvested annually after the crop has senesced over winter.
It is easy to grow and can be planted and harvested with conventional farm machinery.
It is a low input crop showing very little susceptibility to pests and diseases

Growing the crop

Click here for a printable CALU leaflet “An Introduction to Miscanthus”

Defra “Planting and Growing Miscanthus - Good Practice Guidelines“ (It should be noted that the Energy Crops Scheme it relates to was not available in Wales and applications for the scheme in England closed on 30th June 2006.).

Click here to find out how much energy could you produce.