Comparison of dry matter yield of lignocellulosic perennial energy crops in a longterm Belgian field experiment

In pursuit of a sustainable production of biomass for energy, a comparative trial was installed in Merelbeke (Flanders, Belgium) with six perennial lignocellulosic species: Miscanthus x giganteus, M. sinensis, Panicum virgatum, Phalaris arundinacea, Phragmites australis, and willow managed in a short rotation coppice scheme. This field trial was set up in May 2007 and has been managed under low input conditions (no fertilizer and herbicides). In March 2011, the trial was harvested for the fourth time. During establishment in 2007 and 2008, the dry matter (DM) yield was low and varied in spring 2008 between 0.5 and 5.6 t DM ha^–1. In the third and fourth year, yield increased and in spring 2011, DMY varied between 4.2 and 19.81 t DM ha–1, with M. x giganteus having the highest productivity. Cell wall components (NDF, ADF, ADL) were determined for all harvests in view of their use as feedstock in second generation bio-ethanol production.