Soil Protection and Energy Fficiency of Miscanthus x giganteus Grown in Conditions of Organic Agriculture in the Area of Samokov, Bulgaria

Abstract

Field experiment with energy crop grass Miscanthus x giganteus in conditions of organic farming has been carried out in the Experimental Station of potato in Samokov during the period 2008-2010 in order to study the erosion efficiency of this type of grass, аnd the possibilities for its use аs an alternative crop for low-productive and eroded lands. The soil was brown forest soils, shallow, slightly to moderately eroded, slightly stony, with а slope of about 6°, south exposition and altitude 1040 m rhizomes, which were imported from Austria were used for propagating the material. The results showed good adaptability of this new energy crop for the country to soil and climatic conditions of the mountainous region of Samokov. This grass culture showed very high potential productivity of dry biomass for feedstock, for co energy аnd high soil conservation effect for protecting soil from water erosion.