Environment Has a Small Effect on Biomass Composition of Miscanthus × giganteus

Efficient conversion of lignocellulosic feedstock to ethanol will benefit from consistent composition of biomass. A research team, led by Stephen P. Long of University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, aim to determine the influence of environment on biomass composition of M. × giganteus.

Genetically identical M. × giganteus were planted in seven sites with contrasting soil types and levels of nitrogen fertilization. Despite environmental differences, minimal variation was observed across locations, sampling times and fertilizer treatments.

Nitrogen fertilization had a small effect, significantly decreasing the proportion of hemicellulose, acetyl groups, and ash and increased cellulose and lignin. On the other hand, delaying harvest time significantly increased the proportion of these same substances.

The findings show that composition varies minimally with environment or timing of harvest, which still has important implications for costs of processing in a given location.