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At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Data for Aboveground rather than belowground productivity drives variability in Miscanthus x giganteus net primary productivity

This dataset contains the data used for the publication “Aboveground rather than belowground productivity drives variability in Miscanthus x giganteus net primary productivity”. This dataset contains Miscanthus x giganteus biomass, carbon, and nitrogen tissue data for aboveground and belowground plant parts collected in 2021 for three different sites in Iowa with three different nitrogen application rates. Data at the Iowa sites were collected via biometric hand harvesting, belowground excavations, and soil coring both in-clump and beside-clump. Data were collected at two collection timepoints to calculate the contributions of belowground parts to Miscanthus x giganteus net primary productivity. This dataset also includes Miscanthus x giganteus and Switchgrass soil coring and excavation data collected in 2012 at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign Energy Farm.

Belowground Biomass↗
DOE OSTI2024

Data for Pilot-Scale Processing of Miscanthus x giganteus for Recovery of Anthocyanins Integrated with Production of Microbial Lipids and Lignin-Rich Residue

Chemical-free hydrothermal pretreatment of Miscanthus x giganteus (Mxg) at the lab scale using high liquid-to-solid ratios resulted in the recovery of anthocyanins and enhanced enzymatic digestibility of residual biomass. In this study, the process is scaled up by using a continuous hydrothermal pretreatment reactor operated at a low liquid-to-solid ratio (50 % w/w solids) as an important step towards commercialization. Anthocyanin yield was 70 % w/w at the pilot scale (50 kg of Mxg), compared to the 94 % w/w yield achieved at the lab scale (0.5 g of Mxg). The pretreated biomass was subsequently refined mechanically using a disc mill to increase the accessibility of cellulose by cellulases. Enzymatic saccharification of the pretreated and disc-milled residue yielded 238 g/L sugar concentration by operating in fed-batch mode at 50 % w/v solids content. Two strains of Rhodosporidium toruloides were evaluated for converting the hydrolysate sugars into microbial lipids, and strain Y-6987 had the highest lipid titer (11.0 g/L). Further, the residue left after enzymatic saccharification was determined to be enriched 1.7-fold in the lignin content. This lignin-rich residue has value as a feedstock for the production of sustainable aviation fuel precursors and other high-value lignin-based chemicals. Hence the proposed biorefinery based on Mxg creates an opportunity for generating revenue from multiple high-value products. As the demand for biofuels and biobased products is rising, the biorefinery products from Mxg would create a niche in the industrial sector.

Conversion↗
DOE OSTI2022

Valorization of Miscanthus x giganteus for sustainable recovery of anthocyanins and enhanced production of sugars

The increased awareness for eco-friendliness and sustainability has shifted the interest of stakeholders from synthetic colors to natural plant-based pigments. In this study, purple stemmed Miscanthus x giganteus was evaluated as a source of anthocyanins. Hydrothermal pretreatment was studied as a green, chemical-free process for recovering maximum anthocyanins in the pretreatment liquor. The highest recovery of 94.3 ± 1.5% w/w of the total anthocyanin concentration was obtained for a temperature and time combination of 170 °C and 10 min. The pretreatment also improved the enzymatic digestibility of the biomass and led to a 2.1-fold increase in the overall recovery of glucose (70.6 ± 0.5% w/w) at the end of 72 h. The sugar monomers obtained after the enzymatic hydrolysis of the pretreated biomass could be used for the production of biofuels or biochemicals in an integrated biorefinery based on purple-stemmed miscanthus. Altogether, this study demonstrates that the clean pretreatment method developed could lead to an additional product stream (rich in anthocyanins) along with its effect in reducing the recalcitrance of miscanthus biomass.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2022

Data for Valorization of Miscanthus x giganteus for Sustainable Recovery of Anthocyanins and Enhanced Production of Sugars

The increased awareness for eco-friendliness and sustainability has shifted the interest of stakeholders from synthetic colors to natural plant-based pigments. In this study, purple stemmed Miscanthus x giganteus was evaluated as a source of anthocyanins. Hydrothermal pretreatment was studied as a green, chemical-free process for recovering maximum anthocyanins in the pretreatment liquor. The highest recovery of 94.3 ± 1.5% w/w of the total anthocyanin concentration was obtained for a temperature and time combination of 170 °C and 10 min. The pretreatment also improved the enzymatic digestibility of the biomass and led to a 2.1-fold increase in the overall recovery of glucose (70.6 ± 0.5% w/w) at the end of 72 h. The sugar monomers obtained after the enzymatic hydrolysis of the pretreated biomass could be used for the production of biofuels or biochemicals in an integrated biorefinery based on purple-stemmed miscanthus. Overall, this study demonstrates that the clean pretreatment method developed could lead to an additional product stream (rich in anthocyanins) along with its effect in reducing the recalcitrance of miscanthus biomass.

Biomass Analytics↗
DOE OSTI2022

Data for The Leaf Economics Spectrum of Triploid and Tetraploid C4 Grass Miscanthus x giganteus

The leaf economics spectrum (LES) describes multivariate correlations in leaf structural, physiological and chemical traits, originally based on diverse C3 species grown under natural ecosystems. However, the specific contribution of C4 species to the global LES is studied less widely. C4 species have a CO2 concentrating mechanism which drives high rates of photosynthesis and improves resource use efficiency, thus potentially pushing them towards the edge of the LES. Here, we measured foliage morphology, structure, photosynthesis, and nutrient content for hundreds of genotypes of the C4 grass Miscanthus × giganteus grown in two common gardens over two seasons. We show substantial trait variations across M. × giganteus genotypes and robust genotypic trait relationships. Compared to the global LES, M. × giganteus genotypes had higher photosynthetic rates, lower stomatal conductance, and less nitrogen content, indicating greater water and photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency in the C4 species. Additionally, tetraploid genotypes produced thicker leaves with greater leaf mass per area and lower leaf density than triploid genotypes. By expanding the LES relationships across C3 species to include C4 crops, these findings highlight that M. × giganteus occupies the boundary of the global LES and suggest the potential for ploidy to alter LES traits.

Biomass Analytics↗
DOE OSTI2022

The leaf economics spectrum of triploid and tetraploid C 4 grass Miscanthus x giganteus

Abstract The leaf economics spectrum (LES) describes multivariate correlations in leaf structural, physiological and chemical traits, originally based on diverse C 3 species grown under natural ecosystems. However, the specific contribution of C 4 species to the global LES is studied less widely. C 4 species have a CO 2 concentrating mechanism which drives high rates of photosynthesis and improves resource use efficiency, thus potentially pushing them towards the edge of the LES. Here, we measured foliage morphology, structure, photosynthesis, and nutrient content for hundreds of genotypes of the C 4 grass Miscanthus × giganteus grown in two common gardens over two seasons. We show substantial trait variations across M .× giganteus genotypes and robust genotypic trait relationships. Compared to the global LES, M .× giganteus genotypes had higher photosynthetic rates, lower stomatal conductance, and less nitrogen content, indicating greater water and photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency in the C 4 species. Additionally, tetraploid genotypes produced thicker leaves with greater leaf mass per area and lower leaf density than triploid genotypes. By expanding the LES relationships across C 3 species to include C 4 crops, these findings highlight that M .× giganteus occupies the boundary of the global LES and suggest the potential for ploidy to alter LES traits.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2025

Data for "Integrated Green Biorefinery for the Production of Anthocyanins, Fermentable Sugars, and High Pure Lignin from Miscanthus × giganteus "

Miscanthus x giganteus (Mxg) is a promising perennial crop for producing natural colorants, renewable fuels, and bioproducts. However, natural recalcitrance and high pretreatment cost are major barriers to their complete conversion. In this study, a green processing method has been investigated for efficient recovery of natural pigments (anthocyanins), fermentable sugars, and pure lignin from Mxg genotypes using choline chloride-based natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) systems. Interestingly, choline chloride: lactic acid (ChCl: LA) NADES-processed biomass resulted in 67.8 ± 2.1 μg g−1 of anthocyanins from dry biomass. A maximum of 87.4%–94.1% glucose yield was achieved after enzymatic saccharification. The effective extraction of lignin with high purity with higher β-aryl ether (βO4) bonds from advanced crops is crucial for lignin valorization. Notably, highly pure lignin (≈93.4% ± 1.4%) is achieved after low-temperature NADES pretreatment while retaining lignin’s native structure. 31P nuclear magnetic resonance demonstrated that total phenolics for ChCl: LA-lignin resulted in 1.20 mmol g−1 hydroxyls. The relative monolignol composition of syringyl (S), guaiacyl (G), and p-hydroxyphenyl (H) is 19.0, 65.7, and 14.3%, respectively, as evidenced by heteronuclear single quantum coherence analysis. This study provides a novel approach for obtaining high-purity lignin for catalytic depolymerization for oligomers and bifunctional monoaromatics production and leverages current cellulosic biorefinery technologies.

biomass analytics↗
DOE OSTI2025

Integrated Green Biorefinery for the Production of Anthocyanins, Fermentable Sugars, and High Pure Lignin from Miscanthus × giganteus

Miscanthus x giganteus (Mxg) is a promising perennial crop for producing natural colorants, renewable fuels, and bioproducts. However, natural recalcitrance and high pretreatment cost are major barriers to their complete conversion. In this study, a green processing method has been investigated for efficient recovery of natural pigments (anthocyanins), fermentable sugars, and pure lignin from Mxg genotypes using choline chloride-based natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) systems. Interestingly, choline chloride: lactic acid (ChCl: LA) NADES-processed biomass resulted in 67.8 ± 2.1 μg g –1 of anthocyanins from dry biomass. A maximum of 87.4%–94.1% glucose yield was achieved after enzymatic saccharification. The effective extraction of lignin with high purity with higher β-aryl ether (β—O—4) bonds from advanced crops is crucial for lignin valorization. Notably, highly pure lignin (≈93.4% ± 1.4%) is achieved after low-temperature NADES pretreatment while retaining lignin's native structure. 31 P nuclear magnetic resonance demonstrated that total phenolics for ChCl: LA-lignin resulted in 1.20 mmol g –1 hydroxyls. The relative monolignol composition of syringyl (S), guaiacyl (G), and p-hydroxyphenyl (H) is 19.0, 65.7, and 14.3%, respectively, as evidenced by heteronuclear single quantum coherence analysis. This study provides a novel approach for obtaining high-purity lignin for catalytic depolymerization for oligomers and bifunctional monoaromatics production and leverages current cellulosic biorefinery technologies.

Raj, Tirath [University of Illinois at Urbana-Cham↗
DOE OSTI2022

Plant litter traits control microbial decomposition and drive soil carbon stabilization

Efforts to manage soils for carbon (C) sequestration remain limited by our understanding of how differences in plant traits and microbial traits mechanistically drive soil organic C (SOC) storage. Addressing this uncertainty is particularly critical in bioenergy agriculture, due to its potential to enhance soil C and provide a C neutral fuel. As such, we examined differences between two contrasting feedstocks, Zea mays (corn) and Miscanthus x giganteus (miscanthus), in the ability of their litter to form new chemically resistant particulate SOC vs. physically protected mineral associated SOC and used this data to improve the parameterization of a microbial SOC model. We tested a hypothesized conceptual model whereby easy to decompose corn litters drive greater microbial carbon use efficiency (CUE) and the formation of more mineral associated SOC over particulate SOC than more complex miscanthus litters. To do this, we performed a soil microcosm experiment where we added 13 C enriched aboveground and belowground litters to soils and traced the fate of the 13 C into microbial respiration and SOC pools. We found that corn litters promoted higher microbial CUE (0.37) than miscanthus litters (0.24). In turn, corn litter formed approximately 50% more mineral associated SOC than miscanthus litters. Similarly, structurally complex root litters promoted a lower CUE and formed less mineral associated SOC than leaf and shoot litters for both crops. When we used our data to parameterize the SOC model, we found that modelling microbial trait differences uniquely allowed the model to capture the fate of litter C in SOC. Collectively, we found a robust link between litter quality, microbial efficiency, and the formation of SOC. This link bridges the empirical uncertainty in how different crops can form new soil C and provides an empirical basis for modelling SOC transformations.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2022

BrzostekEcologyLab/CORPSE-soil-jars

Efforts to manage soils for carbon (C) sequestration remain limited by our understanding of how differences in plant traits and microbial traits mechanistically drive soil organic C (SOC) storage. Addressing this uncertainty is particularly critical in bioenergy agriculture, due to its potential to enhance soil C and provide a C neutral fuel. As such, we examined differences between two contrasting feedstocks, Zea mays (corn) and Miscanthus x giganteus (miscanthus), in the ability of their litter to form new chemically resistant particulate SOC vs. physically protected mineral associated SOC and used this data to improve the parameterization of a microbial SOC model. We tested a hypothesized conceptual model whereby easy to decompose corn litters drive greater microbial carbon use efficiency (CUE) and the formation of more mineral associated SOC over particulate SOC than more complex miscanthus litters. To do this, we performed a soil microcosm experiment where we added 13C enriched aboveground and belowground litters to soils and traced the fate of the 13C into microbial respiration and SOC pools. We found that corn litters promoted higher microbial CUE (0.37) than miscanthus litters (0.24). In turn, corn litter formed approximately 50% more mineral associated SOC than miscanthus litters. Similarly, structurally complex root litters promoted a lower CUE and formed less mineral associated SOC than leaf and shoot litters for both crops. When we used our data to parameterize the SOC model, we found that modeling microbial trait differences uniquely allowed the model to capture the fate of litter C in SOC. Collectively, we found a robust link between litter quality, microbial efficiency, and the formation of SOC. This link bridges the empirical uncertainty in how different crops can form new soil C and provides an empirical basis for modeling SOC transformations.

Ridgeway, Joanna↗
DOE OSTI2024

Miscanthus: An Environmental Choice for Marginal Lands

Miscanthus x giganteus, or Giant Miscanthus, is a tall, perennial grass originally from Asia. It is considered a sterile hybrid that has been bred to not produce viable seeds. Instead, rhizomes are planted to establish the crop. Here, the rhizome is an underground modified stem mass that puts out shoots and roots supporting new growth each year. This perennial crop takes two to three years to reach maturity, but established stands can reach upwards of 12 ft. tall with a very thick canopy (Pyter, 2007). Miscanthus has shown potential for high dry matter yields compared to other biomass crops, which could in turn lead to more efficient land use especially when applied to a bioenergy and bioproduct supply chain. In one study, switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) yielded 10.3 Mg/ha of biomass on average, while miscanthus yielded 22.4 Mg/ha (Heaton et al., 2004). Additionally, miscanthus production has been associated with many environmental benefits, including benefits to water quality, nutrient load removal, soil stabilization, and soil health (Bhardwaj et al., 2011; Hussain et al., 2019). Many of the possible practical and environmental benefits that are associated with miscanthus production may be attractive to stakeholders who are interested in alternative land use options, particularly in areas considered to be marginal in productivity.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2026

Mitigating the soil carbon deficit of annual agriculture with perennial bioenergy crops in the U.S. Midwest

Maize ( Zea mays L.) is the dominant bioenergy feedstock in the US Midwest but its cultivation since the early 1800s has incurred substantial losses in soil organic carbon (SOC). We quantified differences in SOC stocks under perennial bioenergy crops of Panicum virgatum L. (switchgrass) and Miscanthus x giganteus Greef et Deuter (miscanthus) planted on former maize and soybean fields relative to maize-based annual cropping and native prairie. Comparisons were made at seven locations across Illinois, USA, spanning a range of climate and soil types. Across sites, SOC stocks to 1-m depth on an equivalent soil mass basis were 146 Mg C ha −1 under prairie, 107 Mg C ha −1 under miscanthus, 97.9 Mg C ha −1 under switchgrass, and 87.7 Mg C ha −1 under maize. Higher SOC demonstrates the potential of perennial bioenergy crops to rebuild the SOC deficit accrued under nearly two centuries of maize-based annual cropping. SOC stock increased in the first 5 years under mature bioenergy crops at four out of seven sites. Carbon isotope (δ 13 C) analyses of surface depths confirmed short-term increases in SOC to be derived from miscanthus and switchgrass. Stocks of SOC could be increased over time under miscanthus or switchgrass cultivation even with annual harvesting, though our measured rates of SOC accumulation were lower than previous estimates for Illinois and varied by site.

bioenergy↗
DOE OSTI2025

Circular Perspective for Utilization of Industrial Wastewaters via Phytoremediation

Wastewater generated in municipal rendering facilities requires multi-step treatment, but it may also serve as a source of nutrients and water and thus may be valorized before or instead of the necessary wastewater treatment operations. In this work, wastewaters from a composting plant were utilized to support the growth of Miscanthus x giganteus, known as both a remediation plant and an energy biomass source. A pot experiment was established to compare the effects of different wastewater doses (0, 50, 100, and 200 mL per pot per week) on the miscanthus biomass yield, phytoextraction of heavy metals, biomass heat of combustion, and plant condition. The increase in the wastewater dose resulted in increases in both biomass yield (from about 44 to 139%) and biomass heat of combustion (from 7 to 17%) when compared to the control sample, with no adverse effects on plant physiological parameters. The highest concentrations of metals were found in miscanthus grown with the highest dose of wastewaters. It was found that higher wastewater dose correlates to both higher phytoextraction and phytorecovery of metals from plant substrate and wastewaters. The highest metal uptake was identified for Fe (431 mg·pot −1 ), followed by Al, Zn, Mn, Cu, Ni, Cr. The lowest metal uptake was noted for Pb, Co and Cd (0.88, 0.11, and 0.95 mg·pot −1 , respectively). The results indicate that miscanthus can be recommended for industrial wastewater treatment. In addition, due to high absorption efficiency of the substrate components, miscanthus can be used as a remediation tool, e.g., for the ecological stabilization of remediation of metal-polluted soils, especially in municipal facilities like rendering plants. This presents a circular perspective for the valorization of post-fermentation wastewaters with subsequent growth of energy crops, with other potential benefits for the environment, such as soil treatment, absorption of CO 2 , and air purification.

Miscanthus x giganteus↗
DOE OSTI2023

Roots selectively decompose litter to mine nitrogen and build new soil carbon

Abstract Plant–microbe interactions in the rhizosphere shape carbon and nitrogen cycling in soil organic matter (SOM). However, there is conflicting evidence on whether these interactions lead to a net loss or increase of SOM. In part, this conflict is driven by uncertainty in how living roots and microbes alter SOM formation or loss in the field. To address these uncertainties, we traced the fate of isotopically labelled litter into SOM using root and fungal ingrowth cores incubated in a Miscanthus x giganteus field. Roots stimulated litter decomposition, but balanced this loss by transferring carbon into aggregate associated SOM. Further, roots selectively mobilized nitrogen from litter without additional carbon release. Overall, our findings suggest that roots mine litter nitrogen and protect soil carbon.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2022

Long‐term yields in annual and perennial bioenergy crops in the Midwestern United States

Abstract Many yield predictions in perennial bioenergy species have been made based on data collected during the establishment phase of growth or a limited number of long‐term studies. Few studies compare multiple perennial crops with the dominant agricultural vegetation of the landscape over long time periods. Here, we present the results of 11 years of perennial crop management on fertile agricultural soils in central Illinois, compared with conventional row crop maize/soybean ( Zea mays L., Glycine max L.) production. We examined the long‐term productivity and drought susceptibility of Miscanthus x giganteus Greef et. Deu. ex. Hodkinson et Renvoize (miscanthus), Panicum virgatum L., Cave‐in‐Rock cultivar (switchgrass), and a native prairie mix, in contrast to annual maize/soybean agriculture. Long‐term yields for miscanthus and switchgrass failed to reach initial predictions made during the establishment phase; however, in miscanthus, the 11 th year of production shows little progressive yield loss with age, exceeding the modeled limit for the onset of age‐related decline. Harvest timing and differences in yields from hand and machine harvests in perennial crops likely contribute to overestimates of potential yields. Application of fertilizer to mature miscanthus resulted in significant increases in yield after a severe drought, though modeled effects of management and drought in miscanthus point to a more complex mechanism for yield response.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗