POTENTIAL GROWTH OF SWITCHGRASS 'PANICUM VIRGATUM' AS AFFECTED BY IRRIGATION AND NFERTILIZATION IN CENTRAL GREECE

摘要

The aim of the present paper was to assess the potential growth and biomass yield of the perennial energycrop Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) as affected by irrigation and N-fertilization in its second year of establishment. Forthe purpose of the study, a factorial split plot field experiment in four blocks was established in Karditsa (west Thessaly)plain, central Greece, in which plant growth and crop productivity data were collected throughout the growing season of2010. Switchgrass cultivation reached the amounts of 48 –58 t ha~(-1) fresh biomass and 21.2 – 26.5 t ha~(-1) dry biomass.Switchgrass’ growth characteristics were LAI_(max) = 8.5 and SLA_(max) = 15 m~2/kg. The growth rates of the fresh biomass forthe rainfed and the irrigated treatment from the emergence to the harvest period were 329 and 321 kg ha~(-1) d~(-1),respectively. During June, where the precipitation was defeasance, the above rates were 320 and 880 kg ha~(-1) d~(-1),respectively. Finally, the growth rates of the dry biomass for the rainfed and the irrigated treatment from the emergenceto the harvest period were 148 and 138 kg ha~(-1) d~(-1), respectively. Considering the appreciable growth rates and biomassyield of switchgrass under the low inputs required and the good prices of biomass for energy purposes, it can beconcluded that switchgrass may be comprise an alternative energy crop in Greece in the immediate future.