Acta Univ. Agric. Silvic. Mendelianae Brun. 2014, 62(5), 985-990 | DOI: 10.11118/actaun201462050985

Ecological and Socio-economic Evaluation of Weed Vegetation in Stands of Energy Grass Miscanthus × giganteus

Lýdia Končeková1, Alexander Fehér2, Daniela Halmová2
1 Department of Ecology, Faculty of European Studies and Regional Development, Slovak University of Agriculture, Mariánska 10, 949 01 Nitra, Slovak Republic
2 Department of Sustainable Development, Faculty of European Studies and Regional Development, Slovak University of Agriculture, Mariánska 10, 949 01 Nitra, Slovak Republic

In experimental research plots in Kolíňany (SW Slovakia), ecological and socio-economic characteristics of weed vegetation were evaluated in the energy stands of Miscanthus × giganteus during three vegetation seasons (2010-2012). The spontaneous vegetation in the Miscanthus stand was dominated by annual therophytes (55.5 to 62%) and geophytes (17.2 to 22.2%). We identified two categories of herbaceous undergrowth in Miscanthus plantation: with potential positive (e.g. presence of medicinal plants and plants with melliferous potential) and potential negative impacts (e.g. invasive and toxic plants). Based on our observations, we can conclude that the species composition of spontaneous herbaceous vegetation is comparable with weed vegetation found on arable land.

Keywords: agricultural landscape, biodiversity, energy crop, Miscanthus × giganteus, weed
Grants and funding:

This paper was supported by the Slovak Grant Agency for Sciences (VEGA) Grant Nr. 1/1220/12 Modelling of growth of perennial grasses growing on climatic conditions of southern Slovakia, Grant Nr. 1/0942/12 Varietal dependence of production and energetic potential of fast growing woody plants of genus Salix and Populus in the first and second three-years harvest cycles and energetic grass Miscanthus in agro-climatic conditions of Southwestern Slovakia, Grant Nr. 2/0117/13 Assessment of status and dynamics of habitats using combination of modelling and remote sensing, 7 Framework Programme FP7-REGPOT-2011-1 STAR-AgroEnergy Scientific and technological advancement on research in agro-energy: an integrated approach to renewable energy generation according to sustainability criteria and the FPS COST Action FP1301 Innovative management and multifunctional utilization of traditional coppice forests - an answer to future ecological, economic and social challenges in the European forestry sector (EuroCoppice).

Published: December 2, 2014  Show citation

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Končeková, L., Fehér, A., & Halmová, D. (2014). Ecological and Socio-economic Evaluation of Weed Vegetation in Stands of Energy Grass Miscanthus × giganteus. Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis, 62(5), 985-990. doi: 10.11118/actaun201462050985
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