Estimation of ramet production from Miscanthus x giganteus rhizome of different ages

In Miscanthus x giganteus the perenating organ is the rhizome. This can be divided mechanically in the field from "mother crops" to provide rhizome pieces for replanting. A preliminary experiment was conducted to investigate the effect on establishment rate of using mother crops that were of 1-year-old, 5-year-old and 9-year-old material. Most successful establishment was achieved with the material from 5-year-old plants where 88% of rhizome pieces produced ramets compared to 52% for 9-year-old and 25% for I-year-old material. Although the actual rhizome age from 5-year-old to 9-year-old material that successfully produced shoots could not be determined, the results indicated that, with further study, the planting rate for pieces of rhizome from different ages of mother crops could be calculated to achieve a planting density of normally 1-4 m(-2). (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.