Performance of Miscanthus x giganteus (Greef et Deu) established with plastic mulch and grown from a range of rhizomes sizes and densities in a cool temperate climate

Covering miscanthus rhizomes with a biodegradable plastic mulch is an effective management tool to increase miscanthus biomass production in a cool temperate climate, at least in the first 3-4 years of production. This is mainly due to increase in soil temperature during establishment and the subsequent year. Mulching allows the optimum planting density of rhizomes to be reduced. Despite additional cost plastic mulch represents an economic benefit to the crop.