WP4

WP4: Evaluation of performance traits and salinity tolerance in multi-location field trials

WP-Leader: IBERS – John Clifton-Brown

WP-Team:   UHOH, WU, Dongying, CU, RSAU, DAZ

Tasks:

1. Establishment of multi-location trials
2. Phenotyping and measurements in the fields
3. Sampling for quality analysis
4. Evaluation of salinity stress tolerance
5. Monitoring of the invasiveness potential of the seed bearing miscanthus genotypes
6. Identification of options for marginal improved (i.e. re-seeded) grasslands

WP4 progress so far

WP4 uses field trials to examine the effects of environment on an elite selection of the project genotypes with the aim of widening the area of Miscanthus production. During the third period, the focus was on detailed phenotype measurements of plant growth and development at the different sites.

In 2012, plot-based trials with 15 miscanthus types were established at six locations in Europe, Russia and Turkey. In 2014 the growth measurement protocols standardised in 2013 were used to measure the development of the plants in the multi-location trial. There was significant variation in yield between the sites, with different genotypes performing better in different environments. The genotype which performed best overall was the elite hybrid OPM-6, with an average yield of 10.6 t DM ha^-1 across all locations and up to 15.7 t DM ha^-1 at Potash, Ukraine. The 36 novel natural miscanthus germplasm types planted at Dongying in China in 2013 were measured for growth response to salinity throughout 2014. The effects of different planting and mowing regimes on miscanthus establishment in grassland and yields in the mixed grassland/miscanthus production systems were assessed in trials on marginal land in Germany.

The multi-location trials (WP4) will help to discover elite high-yielding genotypes. Experimental agronomy trials for establishment of Miscanthus in grasslands in Germany and screening trials for salinity tolerance in wild germplasm in China will both help ensure the crop can be grown on lower-grade land. Developing models which combine genotypic traits with climatic and edaphic factors will increase knowledge on appropriate selection of Miscanthus genotypes for a range of good quality and marginal land types.

Multi-location field trial in Stuttgart, Germany on 21 October 2014.

Location characteristics and previous land use of the six OPTIMISC field trials established in May 2012 (WP4):