OPTIMISC

Optimizing Miscanthus Biomass Production - OPTIMISC

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Miscanthus is a C4 perennial rhizomatous grass that has become a leading candidate crop for production of lignocellulosic feedstocks due to its rapid biomass accumulation in temperate climates. There is currently a single commercial clone, M. x giganteus, which has a number of limitations. Research over the past 20 years has shown that a few key species and their interspecific hybrids have a high yield potential whilst requiring low inputs. The overall objective of this project is to optimize the miscanthus bioenergy and bioproduct chain by: trialling elite germplasm types over a range of sites across Europe, Ukraine and Russia; analysing the key traits that currently limit the potential of miscanthus; identifying high-value bioproducts; and modelling the combined results to provide recommendations to policy makers, growers and industry. The outcomes of the project will include screened germplasm and knowledge which will provide solutions to key existing bottlenecks. The specific topics tackled in the field and controlled environment trials are (1) dissection of the traits underpinning tolerance to the abiotic stresses drought, salinity, cold and freezing, (2) yield and quality in a wide range of environments, taking into consideration traits such as senescence, nutrient recycling and nutrient-use efficiency, (3) process-ability of biomass to convenient fuel formats and added-value products. Data gathered will be integrated through the development of modelling parameters needed to build up life-cycle analysis models and other decision support tools to identify optimum production scenarios in the EU, Ukraine and Russia. Recommendations will be provided to miscanthus developers on appropriate genotype selection, propagation and processing methods to maximize the environmental, economic and social benefits. The development of the full potential of miscanthus through OPTIMISC will contribute to Europe’s transition to a sustainable biobased economy.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Researchers are studying grasses from the genus Miscanthus in the search for better ways to produce biomass for diverse uses in variable environments.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Miscanthus is a genus of perennial grasses that includes a number of high-yielding species with outstanding resource-use efficiency. It is a leading candidate for biomass production, but only a single variety is used commercially, and cultivation in temperate climates is limited.

The EU-funded 'Optimizing Miscanthus biomass production - OPTIMISC' (http://www.optimisc-project.eu (OPTIMISC)) project was initiated to obtain and screen a large variety of Miscanthus varieties and species with desirable properties. The optimization approach is three-pronged: increasing stress resistance in marginal environments; enhancing cultivation methods, yield and quality; and identifying high-value bioproducts together with their process chains. To this end, promising genetic material is being tested at selected sites in Europe, China, Russia and Turkey.

Scientists have successfully propagated over 150 selected Miscanthus genotypes including several novel seed-based accessions and hybrids. They have obtained more than 100 000 plants for use in the field trials and laboratory tests that form the core of the 4.5-year project.

The researchers have evaluated plant performance of a germplasm selection in a wide range of field and laboratory trials to better understand the range of variation in drought, salinity, chilling and frost tolerance. Researchers have begun a comparison of cell wall composition in various Miscanthus accessions and are successfully identifying traits related to biomass quality for specific uses.

Large-scale field trials are underway in Germany, Ukraine and the United Kingdom to learn how to upscale planting of seed based hybrids. Data collected from these tests are being fed into models to help optimize production scenarios across sites and climates in Europe.

OPTIMISC will provide important data on perennial Miscanthus grasses with enhanced yield and biomass quality in a wide range of environments. This will aid its establishment as a major biomass crop, thus contributing to Europe's transition to a sustainable bio-based economy.