Establishment of Miscanthus Into Pasture or Conservation Reserve Land.

Miscanthus Miscanthus giganteus Cultivar 'Illinois" was developed as a bioenergy crop. Giant miscanthus was  planted into existing pasture and CRP land without tillage. Plants transferred to the field by mid-July, 2011 with 96% survival into pasture as of March 2012 and 68% survival into CRP land. Miscanthus plants were spaced on 2 meter centers into killed vegetation and spreading of miscanthus will be followed over 1 to 3 years. This would be similar to planting trees by hand and may allow for miscanthus to be established into existing vegetation without tillage. Plots were replicated three times. Diameter of the plants in March 2012 ranged from 15 to 45 cm and were 38 cm in CRP land and 56 cm into pasture by June, 2012. Plant spacing was 126 cm planted into pasture and 144 cm in CRP. This establishment will enable production of a bioenergy crop into marginal lands.