Long-term Miscanthus Experiment

Experiment Code: R/CS/408
Experiment Site: Rothamsted
Objectives: To quantify the biomass yield potential of Miscanthus sinensis giganteus
Description: Miscanthus was transplanted on 25th May 1993. The Rothamsted crop has remained productive since with no sign of yield decline and is now believed to be one of the oldest stands in the world. The experiment is now maintained to determine how long a single planting may remain productive and to monitor for pests and diseases that may threaten productivity.
Date Start: 1993
Establisment Period End: 1995
Date End: Ongoing

Key Contacts

Sarah Perryman
Role: Data Manager
Organisation: Rothamsted Research
Address: West Common, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2JQ, United Kingdom
Andrew Gregory
Role: Principal Investigator
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7123-0784
Organisation: Rothamsted Research
Address: West Common, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2JQ, United Kingdom
Ian Shield
Role: Principal Investigator
Organisation: Rothamsted Research
Address: West Common, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2JQ, United Kingdom

Funding

The e-RA database, including the published datasets generated from it, is part of the Rothamsted Long-Term Experiments - National Bioscience Research Infrastructure (RLTE-NBRI) , which also includes the Long-Term Experiments, the Sample Archive and Rothamsted's environmental monitoring activities including the weather stations and its role in the UK Environmental Change Network.
The RLTE-NBRI is supported by the Lawes Agricultural Trust and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (Grants BBS/E/C/00005189 (2012-2017); BBS/E/C/000J0300 (2017-2022); BBS/E/RH/23NB0007 (2023-2028)).

Experimental Design

Description

3 randomised blocks of 3 plots each

Design

Period: 1993 - Now
Number of Blocks: 3
Number of Plots: 9

Crops

Crop	Years Grown
Miscanthus Sinensis

Factors

Factors are the interventions or treatments which vary across the experiment.

Nitrogen Fertilizer Exposure

Application: Whole Plot

Levels

Level Name	Amount	Years	Frequency	Chemical Form
Control Exposure	0	-
N1	60 kgN/ha	-	annually in spring	ammonium nitrate
N2	120 kgN/ha	-	annually in spring	ammonium nitrate

Measurements

Variable	Unit	Collection Frequency	Material	Description	Crop
Plant Biomass		annual
Plant Height
Stem Number

Site: Road Piece West - Rothamsted

Experiment Site: Rothamsted
Management: Fertilizers and pesticides are applied as necessary. The crop is hand harvested.
Visit Permitted?: Yes
Visiting Arrangments: By arrangement with Dr Andrew Gregory
Elevation: 131 Metres
Geolocation: 51.80183875, -0.36711931

Soil

There are currently no prepared datasets online for this experiment. However, there may still be data available but requiring curation. For more information please contact the e-RA curators.

License

These media (images and videos) are available under a Creative Commons Attribution Licence (4.0) with attribution to Rothamsted Research.

Images

Key References

NO KEYREF PROVIDED