Projects
Projects: Projects for Investigator |
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| Reference Number | NF0415 | |
| Title | Investigation of stem rooting in Miscanthus- a determination of the optimal conditions for root induction | |
| Status | Completed | |
| Energy Categories | Renewable Energy Sources(Bio-Energy, Applications for heat and electricity) 100%; | |
| Research Types | Basic and strategic applied research 100% | |
| Science and Technology Fields | BIOLOGICAL AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES (Biological Sciences) 100% | |
| UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation | Not Cross-cutting 100% | |
| Principal Investigator |
Project Contact No email address given ADAS UK Ltd |
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| Award Type | Standard | |
| Funding Source | DEFRA | |
| Start Date | 01 July 2000 | |
| End Date | 30 August 2002 | |
| Duration | 38 months | |
| Total Grant Value | £48,361 | |
| Industrial Sectors | No relevance to Underpinning Sectors | |
| Region | London | |
| Programme | DEFRA Bioenergy | |
| Investigators | Principal Investigator | Project Contact , ADAS UK Ltd (100.000%) |
| Web Site | ||
| Objectives | Overall objective: to increase uptake of miscanthus by reducing costs of establishment. The specific objectives are: 1. To determine that stem rooting is possible in miscanthus and to describe the environmental thresholds for the stimulation of rooting. 2. To determine the ability of exogenous hormones to enhance rooting. 3. To determine the acclimation period necessary for CE-cultured plants 4. To field-test transplants. 5. To determine the optimum type of stem for stem cuttings 6. If determined to be appropriate from the previous research, to evaluate direct planting into the field. 7. To promote the results. | |
| Abstract | Generating energy from biomass grown on agricultural land is now central to MAFF and Government strategic objectives. This has the duel benefit of providing CO2 ‘neutral’ sources of energy and alternative non-food uses for land, with corresponding environmental and socio-economic benefits on a local and national scale. Miscanthus has been identified as a perennial crop with high potential as a biomass species during previous MAFF-funded work which has studied the crop during the first seven years of its productive life. There are currently proposals under the England Rural Development Plan to provide support for farmers wishing to establish miscanthus. This support will be focused on partially compensating for the high cost of propagules in miscanthus (currently £2-3,000 ha-1). Not only are miscanthus propagules expensive, they are also in very short supply; so much so that the rate of uptake of this promising crop can only be very slow in the next four years. Thus, any technique that can simultaneously reduce unit costs of propagules and increase the rate of propagule availability, would significantly aid this fledgling industry. Miscanthus is currently multiplied either by micro-propagation or rhizome splitting. Rhizome splitting is favoured because it is less expensive and produces more robust plants. The proposed research will investigate the opportunities for a novel establishment system in miscanthus; namely that of ratoon production - planting cut stems which then root adventitiously, either with or without the application of plant growth stimulators. It is postulated that this method of multiplication, which has been demonstrated by the proposal author anecdotally in tropical countries, can lead to reduced unit costs of production and much faster multiplication of the UK crop. The research will involve the following stages: Stage one. Validation of the basic principle. Under controlled environment conditions, tropical environments will be simulated in order to determine the range of humidity, temperature and light intensity needed to induce adventitious rooting in miscanthus. Subsequent to this a range of environmental conditions will be examined in order to determine the environmental thresholds for miscanthus rooting. Stage two. Examination of the role for synthetic auxins and refinement of methodology. By either coating the stem base or by spraying the plants, the ability of auxins to promote adventitious rooting will be examined and the degree to which this will enable rooting under temperate conditions will be examined. The necessary dosages of auxins will be determined. The most appropriate age and section of stem for rooting will be determined. Stage three. The rate of rhizome acquisition will be determined and the acclimation needs identified. The rooted plants will be moved to field conditions in order to enable assessment of winter hardiness. It is anticipated that if this piece of work is successful,a secondary project will begin in March 2002 in which the best treatments are used in the field, and mechanisation systems developed for its planting. | |
| Publications | (none) |
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| Final Report | (none) |
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| Added to Database | 22/12/11 | |
