Effects of rhizome size, depth of planting and cold storage on Miscanthus x giganteus establishment in the Midwestern USA

High-yielding perennial grasses have been touted as ideal candidates for widespread commercial bioenergy production due to the combination of high productivity and low inputs. Recent research on Miscanthus x giganteus has shown it to be a particularly attractive option for biomass production in the Midwestern USA, however no previous research has been done on optimizing the establishment of M. x giganteus under the growing environment within the Midwest. In side-by-side replicated field experiments, the optimal rhizome size and planting depth of M. x giganteus rhizomes was determined in Urbana, IL USA. In a glasshouse study, the effect of cold storage over time was determined on M. x giganteus rhizomes. Results of this study suggest that to maximize above-ground biomass production of M. x giganteus in the establishment year, rhizomes should be 60–75 g, planted to a depth of 10 cm and kept in cold storage for as little time as possible. These results provide necessary data for maximizing the likelihood of establishing commercially viable M. x giganteus production from rhizome propagation in an area that is projected to be a major contributor to renewable energy goals in the U.S.A.