1. Energetic grasses

Our current services include:

• Production of high-yielding plantlets (up 30 t/ha) of energetic grasses:
  
  Miscanthus x giganteus, and
  Spartina pectinata
   
• Help in establishing and managing plantations of energetic grasses.
• Development of tissue culture protocols for propagation of energetic plants and ornamentals.
• Delivery of healthy genetically and morphologically uniform microplants.
• Genetic identification of genotypes of energetic grasses using molecular diagnostics methods. 

	Energetic grasses are perennial species native to Asia and North America characterized by active assimilation of carbon dioxide, efficient biomass production, and low microelement content when burned to ashes. They provide excellent material for production of fuel briquettes and pellets used by the energy industry and heating systems. Plantations of energetic species contribute not only to enhanced renewable energy sources but also to atmospheric CO2 reduction, and thus are an environmentally sound alternative. Straw of energetic grasses is cut in February and March, when the water content within tissues is relatively low. Stems can be cut with harvesters traditionally used on maize plantations. The energetic value of the dry straw ranges between 17.0 and 19.5 MJ/kg. Please visit our photo gallery of energetic grasses.
	Miscanthus (Miscanthus x giganteus) is a triploid hybrid formed from a cross of Miscanthus sinensis and Miscanthus sacchariflorus. It tolerates a wide range of soil types and might be planted even on lean soils, on which the plants grow to a height of 3.5 m. Dry matter production from biomass collected after the first vegetation season reaches up 8 t per ha and in subsequent years can be as high as 30 tons. Plantations of Miscanthus provide an excellent source of biomass, as well as valuable raw material for building construction and the paper industry. Miscanthus x giganteus does not form seeds and thus does not spread beyond its plantation area. It is propagated mainly by in vitro techniques, as well as by rhizome (underground stems) cutting.
	Spartina pectinata is a grass native to North America. In Northern and Central Europe, it grows very rapidly and reaches a height of 2.0 m. It easily adapts to poor and sandy soils and shows good tolerance to low temperatures and high salinity. Prairie cord grass produces a high biomass yield when cultivated under either dry or humid conditions. It can be planted in wetlands, degraded areas, or on causeways and dams. Because the dry matter harvest reaches 25 t/ha in Northern and Central Europe, the species may be used for establishment of plantations destined for biomass production. Sparina pectinata forms seeds of very poor quality that display a low germination rate and short-term viability. It is propagated by in vitro cultures and cutting of underground stems.