Promising Perennial Grass Dedicated for Biomass Production in the Semi-Arid Mediterranean Environment

Saccharum spontaneum L. spp. aegyptiacum (Wild.) Hack., was grown to test its potentiality in term of aboveground biomass yield comparing two years growing season (2009 and 2010) and two level of irrigation (rainfed, irrigated). Significant difference were observed for aboveground dry biomass yield and stem density (number of stems m¬2) in 2010, while no significant difference were shown for height, basal stem diameter, stems density (2009), weight of one stem and biomass partitioning (stems and leaves) in both years. The highest aboveground dry biomass yield was achieved in the irrigated treatments (42.9 t ha¬1), while the lowest in the rainfed 29.4 t ha¬1, both in 2010. The prospect of this species as new energy crops for biomass production is attractive based on its high biomass yield, its perennial growth and the fact that it is a non¬food crop able to grow well on marginal and non¬agricultural lands. However, specific bottlenecks such as biology, crop physiology and agronomy are of extreme importance before a possible introduction of this novel perennial grass as dedicated crop for biomass production.