Prospects for growing giant Micancantus to improve ecosystem services of degraded heavy loam chornozem

Abstract

Goal. To study the prospects of cultivating giant miscanthus on degraded heavy loam chornozem to improve its ecosystem services. Methods. Field, laboratory-analytical, computational, mathematical-statistical. Results. The obtained results of research during 2016–2020 on the impact of growing Miscanthus giant on degraded heavy loam chornozem to improve the quality of its ecosystem services are presented. It was established that even in relatively arid conditions, plants of giant miscanthus produce significant amounts of biomass, without reducing soil productivity even without the application of fertilizers. In particular, for the 3rd year of cultivation in 2018 the yield of dry biomass of miscanthus was 14.3 t/ha, in 2019 — 18.6 t/ha, and in 2020 — 21.7 t/ha, which is equivalent to 16.9 tons of coal, or 7.4 tons of crude oil. Conclusions. Cultivation for 5 years on degraded heavy loam chornozem of miscanthus giant has improved its ecosystem services: supply, regulation, and ecosystem maintenance services. The expediency of growing energy crops of the second generation on agricultural soils is proved by the possibility of obtaining a significant amount of biomass, positive phytoremediation effect on the soil due to: leveling erosion, biodiversity conservation, carbon sequestration, and sustainable improvement of the agro-ecological environment.