FORMATION OF GIANT MISCANTHUS BIOMASS IN THE FOREST STEPPE OF THE MIDDLE VOLGA REGION

Abstract

The introduction of giant miscanthus into production requires the study of the possibility of cultivating it in the zone of unstable moisture on low-fertile soils. The purpose of the work is to determine the best way to control weeds in the agrocenosis of giant miscanthus when growing it in the forest-steppe of the Middle Volga. Univariate field experiment included mechanical and chemical methods of weed control before planting, as well as in plantings of the first year of life. It was established that the formation of productivity elements of giant miscanthus was affected by weather conditions during the growing season and methods of weed control. The optimal thermal regime and precipitation in 2016 ensured the height of the plants of 163.0...210.0 cm with the number of stems 10.0...16.0 pcs per plant unit at the end of the vegetation. On average, over the three years, in the variants with the herbicides Magnum and Ballerina, tall stems (166.9...175.2 cm) with the largest number of shoots of 10.0...11.7 pcs. were formed on the background of the Tornado 500. Compared with the absolute control, the growth of plants in height was 36.0...44.3 cm, the number of stems increased by 4.3...6.0 pcs/plant. Having a minimal phytotoxic effect on the growth and development of the crop, there was no strict relationship between the formed aboveground mass and the root system over the years. An increase in plant power was not always accompanied by an increase in the mass of rootstalks.

Keywords

• giant miscanthus
• weediness
• unstable moisture
• rhizomes
• herbicides
• biomass
• hydrothermal coefficient