Estimation of Genetic Parameters of Biomass Production and Composition Traits in Miscanthus sinensis Using a Staggered-Start Design

Traits for biomass production and composition make Miscanthus a promising bioenergy crop different bioconversion routes. They need to be considered in miscanthus breeding programs as they are subjected genetic × environment factors. The objective was estimate the parameters of an M. sinensis population grown during 4 years two French locations. In each location, experiment established according staggered-start design order decompose year effect into age climate effects. Linear mixed models were used variance, genotype age, interaction variances, residual variances. Individual plant broad-sense heritability means ranged from 0.42 0.62 traits more heritable than with ranging 0.26 0.47. Heritability increased through most traits. Low variance along large variances tended decrease young ages. Most showed both locations, while highlighted due Orléans. phenotypic correlations between positive, hemicelluloses negatively correlated all Selection is difficult on plants too low. joint improvement would help provide better response selection.