Miscanthus sinensis

[11] Several cultivars have been selected, including 'Strictus' with narrow growth habit, 'Variegata' with white margins, and ‘Zebrinus’ (sometimes incorrectly rendered as 'Zebrina') with horizontal yellow and green stripes across the leaves.[12] M. sinensis is a candidate for bioenergy production due to its stable yields in various climatic environments and soils, low-cost propagation by seed, effective nutrient cycling, and high genetic variation.[29] The dry surface biomass of the Chinese silver grass, which is normally harvested in spring, can be burned directly in straw fire power plants for electricity production.[30][29] The harvested raw material is transported from the field to the power plant or the bioreactor in the form of big bales, chopped straw or pellets.Obtaining Chinese silver grass with low lignin content and thus promising to increase bioconversion efficiency, is possible by green crop harvesting in autumn or early winter, adequate fertilisation and breeding for favourable traits.[30][31] When developing new varieties of Miscanthus intended as a bioenergy crop, M. sinensis shows promise to be used as a source of genetic material because it is expressing favourable traits.Dougherty characterized the ecological niche of Miscanthus sinensis, noting its ability to thrive in diverse environmental conditions, which contributes to its invasiveness.[40] Miscanthus sinensis can show competitive abilities against aggressive species like switchgrass, enabling it to outcompete other plants, reduce biodiversity, and potentially lead to monocultures.[41] Its advantages over other plants include its tolerance to a wide range of temperatures, soil types, and moisture levels, as well as the potential for long-term seed viability.