Northwest and Allee Research and Demonstration Farms

Evaluating Miscanthus × giganteus Propagation Methods

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Abstract

Miscanthus x giganteus (hereafter Mxg) is a high-yielding, perennial biomass crop. Once established, Mxg grows to nearly 12 ft in Iowa; producing an annual crop of approximately 8 tons/acre. While exhibiting many ideal biomass crop traits, Mxg commercialization in Iowa is relatively new. In 2009, as part of Dr. Boersma’s PhD project, plots were established at the Armstrong Farm in Southwestern Iowa, the Hinds farm in Central Iowa, and the Northwest research farm. These plots were established using either rhizomes or stem propagated plugs. Both propagation methods have advantages and disadvantages, and at the time of establishment, it was unclear which method might be adopted in commercial operations. In the time since this project began, the plots at the Armstrong farm and Hinds farm have been terminated. Only the plots at the Northwest research farm remain (Figure 1). The Mxg plots at the Northwest research farm were represented as the first published Mxg yields for the state of Iowa, and many assessments were included in Dr. Boersma’s dissertation.

How to Cite:

Boersma, N. N., (2026) “Evaluating Miscanthus × giganteus Propagation Methods”, Iowa State University Research and Demonstration Farms Progress Reports 2025(1), 15-18.