Giant reed (Arundo donax L.), a perennial, rhizomatous, C3 grass of the Poaceae family has been studied as an energy biomass crop for bio-thermo-electric chain for the Mediterranean environment, thanks to high biomass accumulation and adaptation to a wide range of environments. The species does not set fruit because the pollen results unfruitful, therefore, requires the development of an efficient agamic propagation method. The research carried out in Sicily in the last years has shown that giant reed can be propagated both by means of rhizomes and stem cuttings. In the short term, rhizomes ensure a more effective plant establishment and a higher yield compared to stem cuttings; however the use of rhizomes is more expensive than the use of stem cuttings. Different rhizome sizes and different stem cuttings (basal, median, apical) were investigated: within both cases several differences were shown in the plant establishment rate and yield during the first growing period. This difference became less evident in the subsequent years. The choice of rhizome or stem cuttings depends above all on planting time ad soil water availability. Autumn planting is suitable to save water but requires stem cuttings, while in spring planting time, in rainfed condition, only rhizome can be used. Irrigation carried out in the year of establishment during the spring-summer period of cultivation has a positive impact on yield also in the second year even if the irrigation is no more supplied.

Canna comune per la destinazione energetica. Il punto sulla propagazione agamica negli ambienti del Meridione d'Italia

COSENTINO, Salvatore;COPANI, Venera
2012-01-01

Abstract

Giant reed (Arundo donax L.), a perennial, rhizomatous, C3 grass of the Poaceae family has been studied as an energy biomass crop for bio-thermo-electric chain for the Mediterranean environment, thanks to high biomass accumulation and adaptation to a wide range of environments. The species does not set fruit because the pollen results unfruitful, therefore, requires the development of an efficient agamic propagation method. The research carried out in Sicily in the last years has shown that giant reed can be propagated both by means of rhizomes and stem cuttings. In the short term, rhizomes ensure a more effective plant establishment and a higher yield compared to stem cuttings; however the use of rhizomes is more expensive than the use of stem cuttings. Different rhizome sizes and different stem cuttings (basal, median, apical) were investigated: within both cases several differences were shown in the plant establishment rate and yield during the first growing period. This difference became less evident in the subsequent years. The choice of rhizome or stem cuttings depends above all on planting time ad soil water availability. Autumn planting is suitable to save water but requires stem cuttings, while in spring planting time, in rainfed condition, only rhizome can be used. Irrigation carried out in the year of establishment during the spring-summer period of cultivation has a positive impact on yield also in the second year even if the irrigation is no more supplied.
2012
Canna comune; propagazione agamica; ambienti caldo-aridi
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11769/34964
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