Thestudy presented in this thesis form a relationship between soil chemicalproperties throughout the years within Giant Miscanthus soil. Miscanthus is a perennial,rhizomatous, giant grass that was originated from East Asia and now distributedworldwide.

This subtropical plant has C4 photosynthetic pathway and can begrown in warm seasonal weather. These perennialrhizomatous grasses are promising energy crops due to their high productivity,low nutrient requirements, ecosystem services and great potential for Cmitigation (Lewandowski et al., 2003a; Rowe et al., 2009; Chum et al., 2011). GiantMiscanthus has different needs for moisture, soil nutrient content, and theamount of radiation it receives. The length of nutrient gradient, with therelationship of different supplements introduces the impact of soil chemicalproperty accessibilities may impact the state of the reaction of the nutrients inthe soil of the Giant Miscanthus. Miscanthus is a favored perennial feedstockfor bioenergy in subtropical and temperate regions due to its high potentialproductivity (Heaton et al.

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, 2010; Lewandowski et al., 2003) and benefits withregard to the carbon and greenhouse gas balance (Dondini et al., 2009; Hillieret al., 2009).  This perennial crop becamea new addition to the American biomass crops, and was chosen by the projectBCAP (Biomass Crop Assistance Program) in the summer of 2011 to ensure theplanting of renewable biomass crops.  Biomassfor bioenergy is turning into an imperative alternative in Global Changealleviation strategy. Research specialists have discovered that the Giant Miscanthusenduring grass beats current biofuels sources by a considerable measure.Utilizing Miscanthus as a feedstock for ethanol creation in the United Statescould altogether lessen the real estate devoted to biofuels entire meetinggovernment biofuels generation objectives.

In Mississippi researchersrecommends that a portion of the bioenergy yields in Giant Miscanthus can bedeveloped and keep a profitability even in soil with low soil chemicalproperties. Soil chemical properties show how the chemical characteristics ofthe soil. These concepts of soil chemical property associated with Giant Miscanthussoil conducted within this project consist of soil organic matter, potential hydrogen(pH), magnesium, calcium, potassium, Mehlich phosphorus, total nitrogen, totalcarbon, exchange capacity, and summation cation exchange capacity.Accordingto Jenny (1994), soil may be treated as an open system with components enteringor leaving the soil, including SOM. Soil organic matter (SOM) is known toimprove many soil properties such as soil structure, water holding capacity andnutrient supply (Johnston et al.

2009). For this reason, SOM content iscommonly seen as the main indicator for soil fertility (Reeves 1997). Giant Miscanthusis adapted to a wide range of soils, from sands to those with high organicmatter (Caslin, Finnan, and McCracken 2010).Organic matter within Giant Miscanthus is composed of plant residue and microbialbiomass, which consists of many compounds that helps the nutrient of the plant.Organic matter in the soil helps the structure and gives the soil the abilityto absorb water and hold its nutrients. There are many functions of organic matterin soil. It provides food for micro-organisms living within the soil. Also, itincreases fertility as it possesses cations and hold nutrients in organic formsand releases little nutrients for plant growth and uptake.

Furthermore, organicmatter holds the soil particles together. When the leaves from the plant of theGiant Miscanthus falls onto the ground it is decomposed into humus. Organicmatter releases many plant nutrients as it decomposed into the soil, including nitrogen(N) and Phosphorus (P). This concept of organic matter benefits and holds agreat impact on Giant Miscanthus. Therefore, the practices of crop management contributeto organic matter and its ways to enhance Giant Miscanthus nutrients includes; improvementof the rooting system, improvement of the crop rotation and the system, andmaximizing its residues and management of the crop.

PotentialHydrogen (pH) is an important environmental factor affecting the uptake ofnutrients within the soil. The soil reaction is connected with more plant-soilrelations. The assurance of pH has progressed toward becoming a standard matterin soils studies relating specifically or indirectly to the plant nutrients.Information of soil acidity is helpful when evaluating soils because pH appliesan extremely solid impact on the solubility and accessibility of numeroussupplement components. It impacts nutrient take-up and root development, and itcontrols the presence or action of numerous micro-organisms. Every year a soiltest should be taken prior to planting to determine the nutrient levels and pH atthe sites of the planting.

Although, the best production can be expected from sitesthat have well-drained soils with medium to high fertility (Heaton et al. 2011)and pH between 5.5 to 7.5 (Caslin, Finnan, and McCracken 2010).  If necessary, adjust pH to between 6 to 8(Heaton et. Al.

2011). Growth has been poor on soil with a pH greater than 8 (Caslin2010).  In conclusion, Giant Miscanthusgrasses can grow in soil that has the potential pH between 5.5. and 7.5.            Magnesium, Calcium, and potassium withinsoil is an important potential for plant-food nutrients.

Magnesium in soilsolution is equivalent with the exchangeable magnesium available for plants. Originally,magnesium in soil comes from the decomposition of rock containing minerals suchas dolomite, brotite, and olivine. Once in the soil magnesium can be leached,absorbed by living organism and by its surrounding particles. In the soilsexchangeable magnesium is important for determining the magnesium available forin plants. Magnesium plays a huge role in photosynthesis because without it plantsbegin to devalue chlorophyll in the old leaves. The uptake of magnesium by GiantMiscanthus is by two main processes.

Diffusion which moves magnesium ions fromhigh concentration zones to lower concentration zones and by passive uptake whichis driven by transpiration stream. Calcium plays an essential role in plantgrowth and nutrition. As calcium helps maintain chemical balance in soil it reducessoil salinity and also improves water penetration. Calcium also neutralizescell acids and plays a role in the removal of carbohydrates. Potassium plays secondrole to nitrogen when it comes to nutrients needed for plants and soil.

It is essentialplant nutrient and is required in large quantities for growth and reproduction ofplants. Potassium has plenty of roles such as potassium regulates the openingand closing of stomata, photosynthesis, and regulates CO2 uptake.Potassium also plays a role in the regulation of water in plants. The uptake ofwater in plant roots and the lost through the stomata are affected bypotassium. This chemical property actives enzymes and the essential for the productionof ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate).

In summary, magnesium, calcium, and potassiumplays major as secondary plant-food nutrients with the soil of the GiantMiscanthus.            Mehlich phosphorus and nitrogenshare similarities in chemical behavior throughout soil. Depending on theregional climate, leaching of nutrients, especially nitrogen, can occur in latewinter/early spring or late fall. Soil erosion and associated nutrient losses,specifically phosphorus, are alleviated with active crop growth during thoseseasons (Kasper et al., 2008). Retaining these nutrients helps avoid the needto replenish them for the subsequent main crop. To reduce losses of dissolvedphosphorus on highly erodible lands, cover crop effectiveness is critical toreduce erosion (Kasper et al.

, 2008). Phosphorus is absorbed by plants in theform of phosphates. Within plant metabolism it is considered an element ofnucleic acids, phospholipids, and many coenzymes. Phosphorus taken up by plantsfrom soil as phosphate and it is not reduced. In soils phosphorus occurs mainlyin inorganic form, bound to other metals such as Ca, Fe, or Al in water-insolublecomplexes.

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