Impact of Plant Growth Regulators to Development of the Second Generation Energy Crop Miscanthus x giganteus Produced Two Years in Marginal Post-Military Soil

The impact of the plant growth regulators (PGRs) Stimpo, Regoplant, and Charkor on the production of the second-generation energy crop Miscanthus x giganteus on marginal post-military soil was investigated during two vegetation seasons. The land, previously a tank training polygon, has not been in use since 1990 and has become marginal. Biological parameters (stem, shoot, and root lengths) and dry biomass values were evaluated in relation to the applied treatments. The multivariate general linear model (M-GLM) results showed a positive influence of Charkor on M. x giganteus development; the effect was markedly higher in the second year of vegetation. The impact of Stimpo and Regoplant was less noticeable; nevertheless, certain combinations of treatments showed satisfactory results. The M-GLM approach detected the inter-influence of the main factors of the production process, i.e., PGRs, soil, and year of growing. The results showed the predominant influence of year, PGRs and combined factor PGRs x year on the biological parameters; the other studied factors and their combinations were not as effective. Further research should focus on verifying the field-scale results for the M. x giganteus plantation established in a post-military area and compare the lab and field studies.

Automated summary

This study investigated the impact of plant growth regulators (PGRs) on the production of Miscanthus x giganteus, a second-generation energy crop, on marginal post-military soil. The results showed that Charkor had a positive influence on the development of M. x giganteus, especially in the second year. The effects of Stimpo and Regoplant were less noticeable, but certain combinations of treatments showed satisfactory results. The study also detected the inter-influence of PGRs, soil, and year of growing on the production process.