Research is needed to look for plants or lines that can thrive on soils affected by water deficit or otherconstraints. The present work investigated the potentiality of Saccharum spontaneum L. spp. aegyptiacum(Willd.) Hack., a lignocellulosic, perennial, rhizomatous, no-food crop in semi-arid Mediterranean area.A 3-year field trial was carried out with the aim to evaluate its physiology, biomass yield, water useefficiency, and biomass quality under different soil water availability. During 2011/2012, 2012/2013, and2013/2014 growing seasons (hereinafter referred as 2011, 2012, and 2013, respectively), three levels ofmaximum evapotranspiration restitution (ETm) were compared: I100(100% ETm restitution), I50(50%ETm restitution), and I0(rainfed condition).Net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rate were strictly related to the avail-able soil water content (ASWC), with maximum gas exchange at field capacity. However, gas exchangebetween plants and atmosphere was also measured when ASWC was close to wilting point.Biomass dry matter (DM) yield and main morpho-biometric traits (e.g., stem height and basal stemdiameter) were significantly affected by ASWC. A non-linear model showed that maximum DM yield,37.86 Mg ha−1, can be achieved when 1150 mm of water were used by the crop. Water use efficiency(WUE) was always highest in rainfed condition (I0), however, only in 2013 I0was significantly higherthan I50and I100(5.89 g L−1vs 4.26 and 3.33 g L−1). Within the variables employed, a linear model showedthat WUE was negatively related to crop water use (CWU).The fiber content was not affected by the irrigation treatments. In the average, hemicellulose, cellulose,and lignin accounted for 23.9 (% w/w), 35.0 (% w/w), and 19.9 (% w/w), respectively. On the other hand,moisture and ash content, bulk density, low heating value, and ash melting point resulted significantlyaffected by the treatment.Present results suggested that S. spontaneum spp. aegyptiacum possesses a range of agronomically desir-able traits of biomass crop: C4 plant, high biomass yield, active assimilation rates during drought–stressperiods, able to use water efficiently, and satisfactory biomass quality.

Saccharum spontaneum L. ssp. aegyptiacum (Willd.) Hack. a potentialperennial grass for biomass production in marginal land in semi-aridMediterranean environment

COSENTINO, Salvatore;COPANI, Venera;TESTA, GIORGIO;SCORDIA, DANILO
2015-01-01

Abstract

Research is needed to look for plants or lines that can thrive on soils affected by water deficit or otherconstraints. The present work investigated the potentiality of Saccharum spontaneum L. spp. aegyptiacum(Willd.) Hack., a lignocellulosic, perennial, rhizomatous, no-food crop in semi-arid Mediterranean area.A 3-year field trial was carried out with the aim to evaluate its physiology, biomass yield, water useefficiency, and biomass quality under different soil water availability. During 2011/2012, 2012/2013, and2013/2014 growing seasons (hereinafter referred as 2011, 2012, and 2013, respectively), three levels ofmaximum evapotranspiration restitution (ETm) were compared: I100(100% ETm restitution), I50(50%ETm restitution), and I0(rainfed condition).Net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rate were strictly related to the avail-able soil water content (ASWC), with maximum gas exchange at field capacity. However, gas exchangebetween plants and atmosphere was also measured when ASWC was close to wilting point.Biomass dry matter (DM) yield and main morpho-biometric traits (e.g., stem height and basal stemdiameter) were significantly affected by ASWC. A non-linear model showed that maximum DM yield,37.86 Mg ha−1, can be achieved when 1150 mm of water were used by the crop. Water use efficiency(WUE) was always highest in rainfed condition (I0), however, only in 2013 I0was significantly higherthan I50and I100(5.89 g L−1vs 4.26 and 3.33 g L−1). Within the variables employed, a linear model showedthat WUE was negatively related to crop water use (CWU).The fiber content was not affected by the irrigation treatments. In the average, hemicellulose, cellulose,and lignin accounted for 23.9 (% w/w), 35.0 (% w/w), and 19.9 (% w/w), respectively. On the other hand,moisture and ash content, bulk density, low heating value, and ash melting point resulted significantlyaffected by the treatment.Present results suggested that S. spontaneum spp. aegyptiacum possesses a range of agronomically desir-able traits of biomass crop: C4 plant, high biomass yield, active assimilation rates during drought–stressperiods, able to use water efficiently, and satisfactory biomass quality.
2015
Saccharum, Mediterranean environment, Marginal land, Perennial grass, Biomass yield, Water use efficiency, Crop physiology, Biomass quality
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11769/49843
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