Assessment of the economic and energy efficiency of giant miscanthus biomass production depending on cultivation methods and crop fertilization
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31210/spi2025.28.04.12Keywords:
giant miscanthus, biofuel production, biomass productivity, binary plantations, nitrogen fertilization, energy efficiency, economic efficiency, sustainable agricultureAbstract
In the context of the global energy transition and the depletion of fossil resources, research focused on the comprehensive justification for using alternative energy sources is becoming particularly relevant. Among perennial energy crops considered a sustainable source of biofuel, Giant Miscanthus (Miscanthus × giganteus) occupies a special position due to its high adaptability and ability to produce a substantial amount of biomass. Optimizing its cultivation technology is a key task for improving the economic and energy efficiency of its production. The aim of the study was to determine the efficiency of Giant Miscanthus biomass production depending on the improvement of cultivation technology in binary plantations with a legume component. The research was conducted during 2020–2024 on podzolized chernozems under the soil and climatic conditions of the Poltava region. Field experiments were established according to a two-factor design using a randomized block method. The accounting plot area was 50 m², with four replications. In binary Miscanthus-lupine plantations, various rates of spring nitrogen fertilization (from N0 to N120) were applied. The energy efficiency of Miscanthus production was assessed considering the energy content of the biomass and the energy inputs required for production. The results showed that binary plantations ensured higher biomass productivity (up to 21.2 t/ha) compared with monoculture plantations (up to 19.9 t/ha), primarily due to more efficient nutrient utilization. The highest economic indicators in binary plantations were recorded at N30 (profit – 15651.2 UAH/ha; profitability – 179.3%), whereas monoculture plantations were most efficient at N90 (profit – 14238.8 UAH/ha; profitability – 164.7%). The maximum energy efficiency coefficient in binary plantations was obtained at N30-60 (1.91–1.95), significantly exceeding the corresponding values in monocultures (1.18–1.23). These findings confirm the feasibility of using binary cropping systems and differentiated nitrogen fertilization as effective measures to increase Miscanthus biomass productivity and energy output. It was established that binary plantations of Giant Miscanthus with a legume component are more productive and economically efficient than monocultures. The optimized cultivation technology, particularly rational nitrogen fertilization, allows for a significant increase in yield, profitability, and overall energy efficiency of biomass production. These results are of considerable importance for the further implementation of Miscanthus as a promising biofuel source in Ukraine, especially on low-productivity lands, thereby contributing to energy independence and the sustainable development of regions.
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