Can Miscanthus Fulfill Its Expectations as an Energy Biomass Source in the Current Conditions of the Czech Republic?—Potentials and Barriers

Jan Weger, Jaroslav Knápek, Jaroslav Bubeník, Kamila Vávrová and Zdeněk Strašil
Additional contact information
Jan Weger: Silva Tarouca Research Institute for Landscape and Ornamental Gardening, Public Research Institute (VÚKOZ), 252 43 Průhonice, Czech Republic
Jaroslav Knápek: Faculty of Electrical Engineering (ČVUL FEL), Department of Economics, Management and Humanities, Czech Technical University in Prague, 166 27 Prague, Czech Republic
Jaroslav Bubeník: Silva Tarouca Research Institute for Landscape and Ornamental Gardening, Public Research Institute (VÚKOZ), 252 43 Průhonice, Czech Republic
Kamila Vávrová: Silva Tarouca Research Institute for Landscape and Ornamental Gardening, Public Research Institute (VÚKOZ), 252 43 Průhonice, Czech Republic
Zdeněk Strašil: Crop Research Institute, Public Research Institute (VÚRV), 161 00 Prague-Ruzyně, Czech Republic

Agriculture, 2021, vol. 11, issue 1, 1-21

Abstract: Our article analyzes the main biological potentials and economic barriers of using Miscanthus as a new energy crop in agricultural practice in the Czech Republic and the Central-Eastern European region. We have used primary data from long-term field experiments and commercial plantations to create production and economic models that also include an analysis of competitive ability with conventional crops. Our results showed that current economic conditions favor annual crops over Miscanthus (for energy biomass) and that this new crop shows very good adaptation to the effects of climate change. Selected clones of Miscanthus × giganteus reached high biomass yields between 15–17 t DM ha −1 y −1 despite very dry and warm periods and low-input agrotechnology, and they have good potential to become important biomass crops for future bioenergy and the bioeconomy. Key barriers and factors are identified, including gene pool and agronomy improvement, change of subsidy policy (Common agriculture policy-CAP), climate change trends, and further development of the bioeconomy.

Keywords: Miscanthus; energy biomass; yields; invasive behavior; economics (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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