Sida hermaphrodita

Abstract: From 2006 to 2009, block template experiments were conducted to evaluate the biomass yield of four crop species—Amur silvergrass, Giant Miscanthus, Virginia fanpetals, and two Basket willow clones—at the University of Life Science, Lublin, Poland. The dry matter (d m) yields and number of shoots were determined each November, while biomass moisture levels were determined every November and March. The averages of the 4-year research datasets indicated that Giant Miscanthus produced the greatest biomass (16.5 t ha−1 d m), while the two Basket willow clones (8.8–10.2) t ha−1 d m, and Amur silvergrass (6.2 t ha−1 d m) produced the lowest biomass. The mean yield of Virginia fanpetals was 13.0 t ha−1 d m. The largest number of shoots per one m2 were produced by Miscanthus species (55 units), with Basket willow and Virginia fanpetals producing half this amount (24–28 units). Similar moisture levels were obtained for Basket willow biomass harvested in autumn (49.5–54.6)% and winter (48.4–49.7)%. The biomass moisture levels of the other species in March was approximately two times lower (14–29)% than that in November (27–70)%. In a second experiment, the effect of varying plant density (10 000 and 30 000 plants per ha) on the yield of Giant Miscanthus was investigated. Double the biomass yield was obtained in crops with a density of 30 000 plants per hectare compared to 10 thousand. The higher yields were accompanied by larger, heavier, taller, but thinner shoots.

Abstract: This paper presents results of research on the impact of two levels of Nitrogen (N) and Phosphorus (P) fertilization use on population, height of plants, and biomass yield of Virginia fanpetals cultivated on light sandy loam, during four consecutive years of research: 2004-07. Results indicate that stem density and height grew systematically during consecutive years of production. Nitrogen treatment did not influence density, but it increased height of plants. A larger quantity and height of stems was observed after using a higher dose of Phosphorus. Virginia fanpetal biomass yield was not affected by different amounts of Nitrogen applied, whereas more intensive Phosphorus treatment resulted in increased biomass yield. In the third and fourth years of production an average yield of dry matter of over 11 t·ha -1 was obtained; energy productivity level was 219.5 GJ·ha -1