Effects of 10 years of
Miscanthus
cultivation on different properties of mineral soil in North‐east Germany
The effects of 4–10 years of Miscanthus cultivation on different soil properties was investigated at Klein Markow (Mecklenburg‐Pommerania, Germany) in variants with and without Miscanthus between 1994 and 2000. Soil containing Miscanthus showed higher concentrations of organic carbon (Corg) (+0,29 %) and total nitrogen (Nt) (+0,03 %) and consequently an increased storage of soil organic matter (SOM) (+15,5 t ha–1) as a result of high amounts of leaves, roots and rhizomes. With regard to concentrations of Corg, cation exchange capacity, porosity and water retention significantly increased, while the wet and bulk density decreased in Miscanthus variants. The concentration of Corg and storage of SOM were increased significantly during the experimental period of Miscanthus treatments. The mineralization of the organic soil compounds which developed was comparable with those of the SOM. The reintegration of the Miscanthus area into a crop rotation system was possible only after the last harvest in February and seed of winter rape in August of the same year. The application of Glyphosat and the later shading by rape stands led to failure of the Miscanthus cultivations.