Impact on Carbon Sequestration and Yield Performance Under Miscanthus Field in Northern Japan.

The global demands for renewable energy resources such as bioenergy crop has significantly increased. Because it has the potential to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by replacing the fossil fuels and thought carbon (C) sequestration into the soils. The shift from fossil fuel to renewable energy will likely have major agricultural and environmental implications. Miscanthus which was originally collected in Japan is a C4 and perennial rhizomes grass which require low annual energy and financial inputs including tillage and planting practices, intensive fertilizer application, herbicides, and pesticides. Yet, the performances of Miscanthus yield and C sequestration can be site specific, climate, soil type, and management practices. Therefore, there is still a need for detailed research related to Miscanthus yield and C sequestration in Japan. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess the impact on SOC sequestration and yield performance of Miscanthus fields. In particular, we investigated (1) to quantify the impact on land use changes including Miscanthus, pasture, and arable land on total SOC stocks in Northern Japan. (2) to estimate C sequestration side-by-side comparison with two Miscanthus (Miscanthus~giganteus and Miscanthus~sinensis) through application of the 13C natural abundance techniques.