Iowa State University Capstones, Theses and Graduate Theses and Dissertations Dissertations 2013 The influence of propagation method and stand age on Miscanthus x giganteus performance in Iowa, USA Nicholas Boersma Iowa State University Follow this and additional works at: https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/etd Part of the Agriculture Commons, and the Oil, Gas, and Energy Commons Recommended Citation Boersma, Nicholas, "The influence of propagation method and stand age on Miscanthus x giganteus performance in Iowa, USA" (2013). Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 13588. https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/etd/13588 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Iowa State University Capstones, Theses and Dissertations at Iowa State University Digital Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Iowa State University Digital Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. The influence of propagation method and stand age on Miscanthus × giganteus performance in Iowa, USA By Nicholas Neal Boersma A dissertation submitted to the graduate faculty In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Major: Plant Biology Program of Study Committee: Emily Heaton, Major Professor Lynn Clark Steven Fales Shuizhang Fei Kenneth Moore Iowa State University Ames, Iowa 2013 Copyright © Nicholas Neal Boersma 2013. All rights reserved. ii DEDICATION For my beautiful wife Steph and my wonderful kids Ellsey and Neal, I would not have finished this if it were not for you. You are my motivation. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES .............................................................................................................. v LIST OF FIGURES ........................................................................................................... vi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................. viii ABSTRACT ....................................................................................................................... ix CHAPTER 1. GENERAL INTRODUCTION .................................................................. 1 What Motivates Biomass Crop Research? ...................................................................... 1 Biomass Feedstocks ........................................................................................................ 3 Challenges to M. × giganteus Adoption ......................................................................... 5 Dissertation Organization ............................................................................................... 9 References ..................................................................................................................... 10 Tables ............................................................................................................................ 14 CHAPTER 2. EFFECTS OF TEMPERATURE, ILLUMINATION AND NODE POSITION ON STEM PROPAGATION OF MISCANTHUS × GIGANTEUS ............... 15 Abstract ......................................................................................................................... 15 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 16 Materials and Methods .................................................................................................. 20 Results ........................................................................................................................... 23 Discussion ..................................................................................................................... 25 Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................... 29 References ..................................................................................................................... 29 Tables ............................................................................................................................ 35 Figures .......................................................................................................................... 37 CHAPTER 3. PROPAGATION METHOD AFFECTS MISCANTHUS × GIGANTEUS DEVELOPMENTAL MORPHOLOGY .................................................... 41 Abstract ......................................................................................................................... 41 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 42 Materials and Methods .................................................................................................. 46 Results ........................................................................................................................... 49 Discussion ..................................................................................................................... 52 Conclusion .................................................................................................................... 55 Acknowledgments ........................................................................................................ 56 References ..................................................................................................................... 56 Tables ............................................................................................................................ 60 Figures .......................................................................................................................... 64 iv CHAPTER 4. DOES PROPAGATION METHOD AFFECT YIELD AND SURVIVAL? THE POTENTIAL OF MISCANTHUS × GIGANTEUS IN IOWA, USA................................................................................................................................... 72 Abstract ......................................................................................................................... 72 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 73 Materials and Methods .................................................................................................. 76 Results ........................................................................................................................... 78 Discussion ..................................................................................................................... 80 Conclusion .................................................................................................................... 86 Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................... 86 References ..................................................................................................................... 86 Tables ............................................................................................................................ 91 Figures .......................................................................................................................... 92 CHAPTER 5. MISCANTHUS × GIGANTEUS AUTUMNAL LEAF SENESCENCE IS AFFECTED BY STAND AGE .................................................................................. 101 Summary ..................................................................................................................... 101 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 102 Materials and Methods ................................................................................................ 104 Results ......................................................................................................................... 106 Discussion ................................................................................................................... 108 Acknowledgements ..................................................................................................... 111 References ................................................................................................................... 112 Figure Captions ........................................................................................................... 114 Figures ........................................................................................................................ 116 CHAPTER 6. GENERAL CONCLUSION .................................................................... 120 Stem Propagation of M. × giganteus is Possible and Prolific ..................................... 120 Stem and Rhizome Propagated M. × giganteus Exhibit Similar Productivity ............ 121 Survival and Absent First-Year Senescence is Similar in Stem and Rhizome Propagated M. × giganteus ......................................................................................... 122 Re-Searching ............................................................................................................... 122 References ................................................................................................................... 124 v LIST OF TABLES Table 1.1. Global climate change consequences .............................................................. 14 Table 2.1. Experimental layout for temperature experiment ...........................................