Planting Terravesta ATHENA TM
Moisture is key during Miscanthus establishment.
Miscanthus is a pretty hardy plant
Terravesta Athena ™ Miscanthus giganteus, once estalished, is a pretty drought tolerant hybrid.
The extensive and deep root system that the plant develops during its establishment phase, which typically takes 24 months, is contributing toward this drought tolerance.
Early planting for soil moisture
Miscanthus requires very little input as it benefits from a recycling mechanism that extracts all the nutrients from its dead stems during the winter senescence process and stores them in its rhizome, its battery.
In early spring, when soil temperatures rise, this battery releases the nutrients, allowing rapid re-sprouting.
Early planting, as soon as the soil is ready, is a good strategy. Getting this right will ensure satisfaction for years to come.
During the establishment process immediatly after planting in the spring, it is important for the young plant to find moisture in the soil to help its root development. The availability of moisture during these first crucial months determines its resilience and chances of surviving the first summer heat. The emphasis for good future returns is on large plant numbers rather than individual plant height.
The larger the root system at the end of the first summer, the greater the storage capacity of its battery and the stronger the plant will start into the new season, giving it more time to further develop its roots and increase its drought resistance during the second year of its life.
Soil types and pH values
Terravesta ATHENA TM is suitable for a wide range of soils, from sandy soils to those rich in organic matter. It prefers neutral soil with pH values of between 6.0 and 7.5.
At higher pH levels, chicken litter can be used to supply nutrients to the rhizome. Where pH levels are lower, a lime treatment in the autumn will give it time to bind into the soil.
Successful cultivation often requires tailor-made adjustments.
Terravesta offers personalised advice for optimal results.
Rhizome quality maintenance
Good quality, fresh rhizomes alone are not enough to ensure a good establishment.
They need to be kept that way by proper storage in a moist, cold, dark place until planting (2⁰ C).
While thorough preparation is crucial, the ability to adapt to weather conditions is essential. Cold storage extends the planting window without compromising rhizome quality.
On request, Terravesta provides access to quality mobile refrigeration at a reasonable cost.
Planting equipment
For optimum establishment, Terravesta recommends the use of a specially designed semi-automatic Miscanthus planter.
The planter is operated by 4 people and is calibrated to a row-to-row distance of 75 cm (29 in) and an in-row distance of 78 cm (31 in). 3 to 5 hectares may be planted a day.
The use of fully automatic planters is not advisable. This additional investment will pay off in the long run.
Soil consolidation
Same day Cambridge rolling after planting to maximise soil contact and reduce rhizome desiccation is the way to go. Rolling the field the next day will not give the same result.
Besides holding the mositure in the soil, keeping the land flat and level can improve long-term yields by allowing cutting at lower heights. Canes are wider at the base of the plant and this difference can produce surprising yield differences.
The most important factor in establishing Miscanthus is getting the soil moisture right.
Adequate soil moisture during the critical first few months promotes deep root growth and increases the chances of survival of the individual rhizome, directly influencing plant numbers.
Key factors influencing successful establishment include:
- Early seedbed preparation and weeding.
- Rhizome quality maintenance (cold storage).
- Soil moisture and temperature at planting time.
- Same day rolling and soil consolidation.
- Post-planting weed control.
Farm visits
The above planting suggestions are a good starting point. However, successful cultivation often requires customisation to suit specific conditions.
Terravesta strongly believes in the value of personalised advice for optimal planting strategies. We encourage growers to arrange pre-planting visits with Terravesta specialists whenever convenient.
If it’s not possible to visit the field, detailed images and descriptions of field conditions allow advice to be given from a distance.
Soil samples should be taken months before planting so that a detailed planting plan can be drawn up with enough time to implement it.
Considering the unpredictability of weather patterns, having this information well in advance provides the flexibility to adjust the planting plans accordingly.
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