To provide information on this topic, an initial trial will be launched at the Institute for Organic Agriculture at the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein. This trial will determine both the development during growth and the potential yields. For comparison, a small-scale trial will be conducted in the conventional area at the main facility in Gumpenstein, where chemical pesticides can also be used in the first year.
This scientific project primarily aims to determine the suitability of Miscanthus for cultivation under unfavorable climatic conditions. Described as a plant of maize-like climates with a maximum altitude of 700 m, a trial will now be established precisely in this marginal area. The central Enns Valley is part of the main production region of the high Alps, with its arable land situated between 650 and 700 m above sea level, an average annual temperature of 6.9°C, and an average annual precipitation of 1000 mm. No trial results exist under such conditions, which this scientific project will address.
Especially from the perspective of alternative cropping, it is important to know whether and how Miscanthus is suitable for cultivation in alpine regions. This scientific work aims to document the development of an optimal stand: how the seedlings establish themselves in the first year, how the stand develops until the onset of winter, how the stand performs after the first winter, and whether the first harvest can truly be expected after the second winter. Interest in energy crops has increased significantly worldwide, partly due to the scarcity and high prices of petroleum. A shift towards renewable fuels is clearly evident, and Miscanthus is ideally suited to this purpose. The countless applications, both material and energetic, make Miscanthus appear to be a true wonder plant. Its relatively modest requirements, except for climate, low fertilization, and perennial cultivation with a lifespan of 20 years make it a compelling choice. If one can then assume a yield of around 15 to 25 tons of dry matter per hectare, there should be nothing standing in the way of cultivating miscanthus. Data on miscanthus growth, overwintering, and yield are crucial for providing advice. However, economic data must also be considered. Especially under unfavorable climatic conditions, it is all the more important to achieve a reasonable yield without excessive financial expenditure. Therefore, work records must be kept, all external services must be documented, and, above all, the productive yield must be compared to all costs. If such an alternative crop proves profitable even in unfavorable locations, it can offer individual farmers a way to improve their income.
