Propagation method as an important factor in the growth and development of Miscanthus x giganteus

The morphological development of Miscanthus x giganteus plants propagated either by rhizome division or by micropropagation was studied in two field and two pot trials. Significant differences were found for the thickness of the rhizome branches as well as the number and strength of the shoots. Rhizome propagated plants had a lower number but stronger shoots and thicker rhizome branches than micropropagated plants. In the field those plants micropropagated directly by in vitro tillering developed more slowly than those micropropagated through somatic embryogenesis, both in terms of total dry matter (DM) and share of the rhizome of total DM. The analysis of the chemical composition of shoots and rhizomes showed a tendency of higher N, P, K and sugar contents in rhizomes from rhizome propagated plants. Morphological differences between propagation variants were found to last until the third ratoon although these differences diminish with increasing age of the plantation. Directly micropropagated plants have thinner stems, making them more susceptible to lodging. As no chilling occurred in any of the trials, no immediate conclusions can be drawn about differences in chilling resistance between the propagation variants. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.