Uman National University | today: 05/23/2026
| Author(s) |
Мандровська С. М., , , Данюк М. С., , , Ільченко Я. В., , , Курочка Н. В., , , |
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| Category | The Agronomy | ||
| year | 2026 | issue | Issue 108 part 1 |
| pages | 447-465 | index UDK | 633.17:631.55/.58:620.92 | DOI | 10.32782/2415-8240-2026-108-1-447-465 (Link) |
| Abstract | Aim. To substantiate the patterns of productivity and bioenergetic potential formation in switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) varieties of domestic and foreign breeding, depending on the duration of plantation exploitation and biomass harvesting schedules, in order to optimize the raw material base for bioenergy. Methods. Experimental studies were conducted during the period from the 2nd to the 17th year of the crop's vegetation at the research field network of the Institute of Bioenergy Crops and Sugar Beet of the NAAS of Ukraine. The experiments were integrated into a system of long-term bioenergy crop stands, which ensured high data representativeness and allowed for the study of the age dynamics of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) productivity over time. Factor A (Variety): Varieties of various ecological and geographical origins were studied: domestic (Morozko, Liadovskyi) and foreign (Cave-in-Rock, Forestburg). Factor B (Plantation Age): Monitoring was carried out in the 2nd, 5th, 8th, 10th, 15th, and 17th years of plantation use. Factor C (Harvesting Time): 1) Autumn (end of vegetation, October–November); 2) Spring (after overwintering, March–April). Results. As a result of 17-year studies, it was established that the bioenergetic potential of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) depends on varietal characteristics, plantation age, and harvesting schedules. It was found that crop yield increases intensively until the 8th year of vegetation, followed by a stabilization period with a gradual decline in productivity after 15 years of use. Domestic varieties (Morozko, Liadovskyi) proved to be more adapted, providing a dry matter yield of 13,9–14,5 t/ha, which is 8–12% higher than the performance of foreign varieties (Cave-in-Rock, Forestburg). It has been proven that shifting the harvest time from autumn to spring ensures higher quality raw materials: dry matter content increases to 79,4–87,1%, while ash content decreases by 35–45% due to the leaching of mineral compounds by precipitation. The minimum ash content (2,5–2,7%) during spring harvesting is characteristic of domestic breeding, which is a significant advantage for fuel production. The maximum energy yield was recorded for the Morozko variety during spring harvesting – 268.3 GJ/ha. Analysis of variance results confirm the significance of all factors (LSD05 for variety = 7.8 GJ/ha). It is proven that domestic varieties maintain high productivity (over 170 GJ/ha) even in the 15th–17th years of vegetation, confirming the feasibility of long-term exploitation of switchgrass energy plantations. Conclusions. The results of multifactorial analysis of variance confirm the significance of the interaction between factors A, B, and C (LSD05 for the ABC interaction regarding energy yield is 15.2 GJ/ha). This allows for the recommendation of the Morozko variety for establishing long-term energy plantations with an exploitation cycle of up to 17 years and a spring harvesting schedule as the most economically and technologically justified model. | ||
| Key words | switchgrass, yield, bioenergy, ash content, Morozko | ||