Giant reed (Arundo donax L.): A weed plant or a promising energy crop?

Abstract

Giant reed (Arundo donax) is a perennial rhizomatous grass which is widely diffused in subtropical andwarm temperate regions. From its native area, probably Eastern Asia, it has been dispersed all over the world by humans who use it for multiple purposes such as roof thatching, reeds in woodwind instruments, fishing rods, etc. Its spontaneous and rapid growth allows A. donax to be considered as an invasive weed. But more recently, due to its high biomass production and great adaptability to marginal land, it is being seen as one of the most promising energy crops for lignocellulosic bioethanol production. A. donax is a sterile plant because it is a hybrid with uneven ploidy or triploid specie. Therefore, its propagation is strictly agamic by rhizome fragmentation and sprouting from cane nodes. The lack of sexual reproduction is a negative characteristic when we consider A. donax as an energy crop, since it makes genetic improvement difficult, and this is further limited by the absence of genome sequence information and the lack of specific molecular tools. In this review we will summarize and discuss recent data on A. donax, specifically its origins, genetics and possible utilization as a source of biomass.

Potential of biogas production from biomass and waste materials in the Small Island Developing State of Mauritius

“…Arundo donax has an average gross calorific value of 18.91 MJ/ kg [105,118]. Consequently, it could be argued that direct combustion of the biomass will be more beneficial than AD which requires pre-treatment prior to the digestion process, thereby decreasing its energy return on energy invested (EROEI) index [110]. Nonetheless, direct combustion of Arundo donax has resulted in the emission of harmful gases such as HCl, SO x and NO x , posing potential human health-related risks [118].…”

“…One energy crop that is gaining increasing interests in the world is Arundo donax, also known as giant reed [105], cane of Provence or 'Fatak' in Mauritius [106]. Arundo donax is a "perennial, tall grass" of height reaching up to 8-9 m that is able to grow in a variety of soils and may resist conditions of floods or droughts [107][108][109][110]. Having high growth rates and yield capacities of 3 kg dry matter/m 2 (average) [108], Arundo donax is being explored for its bio-energy potential owing to the fact that it stores a high quantity of biomass [107].…”

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Confer Salt Tolerance in Giant Reed (Arundo donax L.) Plants Grown Under Low Phosphorus by Reducing Leaf Na+ Concentration and Improving Phosphorus Use Efficiency

“…To ensure a more sustainable used of agricultural soils and to prevent the displacement of food crops, second-generation energy crops can be grown on marginal lands, abandoned or unsuitable for food production (Mohr and Raman, 2013). Nonetheless, marginal lands often compromised the crop establishment success due to the harsh conditions that plantlets face in these extreme environments (Pilu et al, 2012).…”

Selenium Phytoremediation by Giant Reed

“…Arundo is one of the largest herbaceous grasses and even though giant reed is a C 3 plant, it shows high photosynthetic rates and unsaturated photosynthetic potential in comparison with C 4 plants (Rossa et al 1998 ). Its growth starts from the rhizome in early spring and reaches in late autumn the average height of more than 5 m, having a growing rate of about 5 cm per day in the right environments (Perdue 1958 ;Pilu et al 2012 ). In the past, Arundo was used within certain limits in indus trial processes to produce cellulose and other derivatives such as the textile fi ber rayon, although it is also considered an invasive and dangerous weed plant in several countries (Perdue 1958 ), and is included in a list of the 100 World's worst alien species (Lowe et al 2000 ).…”

“…It could be used the canes for many different purposes such as roof thatching, fi shing rods, reeds in woodwind instruments, etc. (Pilu et al 2012 ). Arundo is one of the largest herbaceous grasses and even though giant reed is a C 3 plant, it shows high photosynthetic rates and unsaturated photosynthetic potential in comparison with C 4 plants (Rossa et al 1998 ).…”