CULTIVATION MANUAL MISCANTHUS Mammoth GRASS



CULTIVATION MANUAL MISCANTHUS Mammoth


Foreword / Introduction


Dutch Plant Force has marketed Mammoth Grass a Miscanthus variety that produces a large amount of biomass, making this a profitable crop to grow.
The biomass can be used for many applications such as biofuel, building materials, box litter in stables, potting soil and substrate, among others.
In today's economy, it is necessary to use these applications to meet climate goals.

Mammoth grass is a perennial C4 crop.
The crop can grow 5 to 6 metres tall, creating a large amount of biomass.
Little fertilisation is required for the crop and only in the first and second year is weed control necessary.

In April, the new shoots of giant sequoia start to emerge above the ground, which can reach 5/6 metres by November.
The crop dies off above ground in winter and can be harvested in April, when it is dried to 85% dry matter.
It is a perennial crop, lasting more than 20 years.


Soil type / cultivation Mammoth grass


Mammoth grass can be grown on a variety of soil types, such as peat, sand or clay soils.
An optimal soil pH is from 5.5 to 7.5.
It is important, however, that the plots are easily accessible for planting and harvesting.
If planting on long-standing grassland or fallow land, it is important to check for the presence of wireworms, leatherjackets or moth larvae.
Presence of these can jeopardise planting and cause major damage to Mammoth grass, action should be taken.
When fertilising in the first year of planting, it is important to use nitrogen-poor fertiliser, due to weed growth.


Planting Mammoth grass cuttings / rhizomes


Moist soil and rainfall are important for good growth and subsequent harvest.
It is important for the preparation of the planting that the soil is well crumbled so that it can be well pressed when planting.
This will ensure good adhesion, allowing good moisture transfer.
Mammoth grass can be propagated by rhizomes or rooted cuttings.
Rhizomes are planted in spring at a depth of 7-12 cm.
In countries with harsher winters, the recommended planting depth is 12-17 cm, due to the risk of frost damage to the developed rhizomes.
Between harvesting the rhizomes and planting them, it is important to store the rhizomes well to avoid dehydration.
The storage temperature for the rhizomes is around 4 degrees Celsius.
The rhizomes should be planted as soon as possible after exposure to the outdoor temperature, too long exposure to the outdoor temperature will negatively affect the emergence percentage.
A emergence percentage of planted rhizomes of 80% can be achieved.
Rooted cuttings can be planted in both spring and autumn and are less affected by exposure to outdoor temperature before planting.
For both, it is important that the soil around the rhizomes/cuttings is well compacted, and watering can be done if necessary.
The emergence rate of rooted cuttings is more than 90% on average.
For both rhizomes and rooted cuttings, a semi-manual planting machine is used.
The cost of planting is less important given the fact that planting only needs to be done once every 20 years.

The best period for planting Mammoth grass rhizomes is April/early May, rooted cuttings can also be planted later in spring or autumn.
Especially in drier areas, it can be an advantage to plant rooted cuttings in autumn, soil is then moister, and there is more chance of precipitation.
When planting rooted cuttings in autumn, the roots (rhizomes) can develop more before dry periods arrive in spring and summer.
In areas with a chance of severe frosts in winter, planting should not be done too late in autumn, the rhizomes must be able to develop sufficiently to withstand frost period, young rhizomes are frost sensitive.

Per hectare, 10,000 plants are needed, after planting weed control is necessary, this can be done mechanically, which is best from a sustainability point of view.
Maize can also be sprayed, although it is important that perennial grasses are removed before planting.
In the spring after planting, weed control should be applied in time, as in the spring of the 2nd year after planting.
Too many weeds will not help the growth of miscanthus, mechanical weed control is also preferred from a biodiversity point of view.

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Fertilisation


The fertilisation requirement and effect of fertilising miscanthus giant grass depends on soil type, climate and type of fertilisation.
Miscanthus falls under the other arable crops, which means that, according to fertiliser regulations, it may be fertilised annually.
Not much is known about optimal fertilisation, but it is important to keep a close eye on the annual growth and yield and apply fertiliser accordingly.

Growth / weed control
Giant sequoia does not flower in the Dutch climate, but it may do so in warmer southern countries.
The seeds of Mammoth grass have not yet shown to be anything other than sterile.
The first two years it is important to be keen on weed control, but from the moment the stems are more than 1 metre high it is better not to apply any weed control.
After the second year, no weed control will be necessary.
If necessary, seek advice on suitable pesticides.


Harvest


Harvesting can usually be done in March or April, when the giant sequoia has dried out sufficiently.
We recommend harvesting when the day temperature is not too high yet, in connection with the emergence of new shoots.
Harvesting, however, depends every year on the weather and harvestability of the crop.

Miscanthus Mammoth grass can be harvested in several ways, it can be harvested with a corn chopper and stored loose, or it can be baled.
It can also be cut with a flail mower and subsequently baled.
Dependent factors of the harvesting method are availability of harvesting machinery, storage possibility and application of the harvested Mammoth grass fibre.
For longer storage of the fibre, baling the crop is usually chosen, which is also an advantage for later transport.
It is important to harvest the crop as clean as possible, contamination with sand has adverse effects on some production processes.
The moisture content of miscanthus Mammoth grass is very important in determining when to harvest.
It is best to harvest at a moisture percentage of less than 15%, this percentage is usually achieved in April.
If the moisture percentage of less than 15% is not achieved in April, you can choose to let the crop dry out on the windrow.
The disadvantage of this is that contamination (sand from the soil) may be a consequence of this method of harvesting.

Harvest yield


Mammoth grass yields can vary considerably from plot to plot.
The varying tonnages depend on weather/climate, soil type and fertilisation.
The first year it is not interesting to harvest the crop, the yield will not exceed 2 to 4 tonnes of harvested Mammoth grass.
The stalks can be left the first year or shredded over the land.
They can be harvested from the second year, yields will be between 10 and 15 tonnes per hectare.
The third year and subsequent years, yields can reach more than 25 tonnes per hectare.

Besides the yield from the harvest, there is also income from long-term CO2 sequestration in the soil which accrues to the farmer.
Dutch Plant Force informs you about this.

Marketing Mammoth grass fibre


Dutch Plant Force is trying to realise good sales and prices in cooperation with companies where Mammoetgrass is grown and interested buyers.
Given the growing bio-construction sector, the necessary innovation in raw materials for potting soils and substrates and the future of green energy, miscanthus Mammoth grass is a very promising crop to grow.
Miscanthus Mammoth Grass for renewable energy sources and sustainable solutions for a fossil-free future.





 

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