BioMatNet Item: FAIR-CT96-2028 - Giant reed (Arundo donax L) network improvement of productivity and biomass quality

FAIR-CT96-2028
Giant reed (Arundo donax L) network improvement of productivity and biomass quality

Contacts
Further Information

	Type of Project	Shared Cost
	Contract No	FAIR-CT96-2028
	Total Cost	1,897,680 ECU
	EC Contribution	1,180,000 ECU
	Start Date	01/01/1997
	Duration	45 months

Giant reed (Arundo donax L.) network: improvement, productivity and biomass quality

Objectives

Giant reed (Arundo donax L.) is a potentially high yielding non-food crop that could meet EU market requirements for energy, paper pulp production and construction of building materials. It has the advantage of being a native of south-eastern Europe and therefore naturally adapted to EU agro-climatic conditions. Certain unimproved populations achieved dry matter yields up to 40 tons/ha. Giant reed is also one of the most cost effective crop, environmentally friendly and presents large prospect by selection and improvement, to become the champion of biomass crops. However, giant reed has never been domesticated because of the absence of any market. The ultimate objective of the proposed project is the introduction of giant reed, a high yielding, non-food plant, into EU agriculture.

Technical Approach

The specific objectives of the proposed project are to:

determine the suitability of giant reed as a new non-food crop (for energy, paper and construction of building materials) within EU agriculture by evaluating a wide range of native populations in Greece and Italy
establish the limitations to production in the EU by quantifying and biomass productivity of selected populations in Northern and Western EU environmental conditions (Germany, UK, France, Spain)
develop a growth and biomass productivity model for giant reed by determining growth, biomass yields and quality under contrasting EU conditions (with particular emphasis on the Mediterranean basin but in comparison with northern and western regions)
determine the most successful and cost-effective methods of establishment by evaluation of various propagation techniques (micropropagation, rhizomes, stem cuttings)
identify the most appropriate agronomic practices for maximising biomass yields by assessing the effects of irrigation and nitrogen fertilisation on growth and biomass productivity
assess environmental impacts (beneficial or detrimental) of giant reed insertion into the agriculture practice (nitrate leaching, water economy, biofiltering capacity of sewage effluents)
determine energy potential and fuel quality as well as the pulp and paper characteristics

Contacts

Coordinator

Myrsini CHRISTOU / Greek Biomass Association (HELLABIOM) / CRES Centre for Renewable Energy Sources, Biomass Dept / GREECE

EC Scientific Officer

Adelmo MOREALE / European Commission DG VI Agriculture BELGIUM

Participant