Multipurpose of Miscanthus Perennial Grass

Miscanthus is one of perennial grass plant which produces large of biomass. The development of energy alternative based on biomass, Miscanthus, becomes potential grass species in future prospect. There are many advantages which Miscanthus have, such as this grass categorized as low demand nutrients input, with a poor quality of land still have higher yields, and also have tough persistence including in cold weather. The result from Saga et al. (2014), showed under cool temperature Miscanthus photosynthesis ability is higher other C4 grasses such as maize and sugarcane. Based on that categorized Miscanthus also used in the marginal land to stabilize and covering land in wildlife. Even this grass produce large biomass, to keep the sustainable in the nutrient cycle in harvest technique should be considerate to remain the rhizome in the soil as nutrient source. Moreover, the development of bioproduct becomes coproduct such as chemical and material is a great future. Development the biomass resource as bioproduct should considerate other issues such as conflict with food, stable supply, and for industrialized it should work economically. Miscanthus with the beneficial based on the character, have a great challenge leading the biorefinery schema.

Another scenario for utilization Miscanthus perennial grass plant is producing biomass in term reducing greenhouse gas emission. Greenhouse gasses contributed in earth warming and simultaneously make climate changed. Concentration gasses that trapped in the atmosphere, day by day increased. Through photosynthesis, carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will change become photosynthates or biomass. Miscanthus is a grass with high of yield with soil C sequestration rate, until 503 kg/ha which almost twice than Japanese cedar forest. The concept for mitigating the concentration from agriculture sector is utilization biomass which accumulates carbon in soil and biomass. So that high yield in Miscanthus is equal with the purpose mitigation greenhouse concept. Real application in Miscanthus planting still needs burning process for maintaining Miscanthus vegetation in grassland. Research that calculates carbon dynamics as affected by burning explained that after burning soil C not burning and soil CH4 and N2O flux did not increase after burning. It showed deep explanation that during burning, even CH4 and N2O were emitted but higher soil C accumulation still stored. Compared with Japanese cedar forest soil C accumulation in semi-natural grassland has significantly higher which indicated Miscanthus grass should become a potential sector in mitigated greenhouse gasses.

Miscanthus sinensis pioneer grass

Hokkaido is the northern main island in Japan, which have low population than another main island in Japan. And also have a low temperature in long time than another area, sometimes extreme weather occurred. With this special environment condition, make Hokkaido becomes the main focus in Agriculture sectors. Moreover, Hokkaido suitable to becomes primary industries based biorefinery. Integrated multipurpose that concerning in mitigation greenhouse gasses, also feedstock production to fuel, adding value becomes chemicals and materials through bioprocess appropriate with the future plan. Research and development, involving the Miscanthus proposed for biorefinery schema or development as global warming mitigation effort still needed. Indeed, Hokkaido with exceptional condition becomes one of a suitable area to develop a future plan with Miscanthus grass as a potential commodity.