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Phytotechnology with Biomass Production
bacterivores. There was also an increase in herbivores associated with the
biosolids amendment (Alasmary et al., 2020).
The NATO project field site at Dolyna, Western Ukraine (former military
site contaminated by various trace elements), has been used to ensure the successful cultivation of Miscanthus at the site and to investigate the impact of
agricultural practices on Miscanthus biomass and phytoremediation parameters. These include incorporation of soil amendments, both mineral and
organic, and/or treatment of rhizomes with Plant Growth Regulators (PGRs).
Three and four years’ cultivation of the crop at this military site showed
good growth of Miscanthus with increasing biological parameters and harvest value (Chapter 5). Field experiments have shown the positive prospects
for application of the Miscanthus phytotechnology with biomass production
developed at contaminated military sites within NATO SPS MYP G4687 to
other locations in Ukraine and Czech Republic where there is need to revitalize the postmilitary sites and to produce biomass for energy and bioproducts.
The NATO project research field established on marginal agricultural
land at Tokarivka, Central Ukraine, illustrated the positive impact of different PGRs on Miscanthus development and harvest values on marginal land
(Pidlisnyuk and Stefanovska, 2018). The successful reclamation of mined
lands has been achieved by applying the best practices that are described in
the book (Chapter 5).
One long-term phytotechnology option in the restoration of contaminated
land is to develop it into a forest. Trees have been planted at many different
sites, especially minelands, to address contamination and improve soil health.
Some neglected sites eventually revert to forests if the climate is suitable. The
Forest Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture has developed the forestry reclamation approach, which has been used for successful reforestation
of mined lands. A book with best management practices has been published
by the U.S. Forest Service (Adams, 2017). Miscanthus has some specific advantages over woodlands when terrain permits its planting and harvest. First, it
will yield useful product as quickly as even rapid-cycling poplars or willows,
within 3–4 years. Because it is harvested annually, rather than on a longer rotation, it assures that biomass or income can be available every year. Second, it
is far easier to remove if plans for the land are changed. This is a significant
advantage on military or postmilitary lands that may be in transition. Third,
Miscanthus is easily made into locally useful materials such as clean animal
bedding or mulches, or used directly for combustion, and it will relatively rapidly decompose in situ without the need for chipping, unlike wood. This can
more quickly and economically enhance soil tilth which is often an important
component of the remediation of contaminated lands.
Economic issues are important and may limit choices at contaminated
sites. Because of climate change, more decisions are being made based on
sustainability and triple bottom line considerations. Adding organic carbon to the soil and improving soil health have value for society and may be
included in making decisions. Since some benefits of phytoremediation such
Phytotechnology with Biomass Production
bacterivores. There was also an increase in herbivores associated with the
biosolids amendment (Alasmary et al., 2020).
The NATO project field site at Dolyna, Western Ukraine (former military
site contaminated by various trace elements), has been used to ensure the successful cultivation of Miscanthus at the site and to investigate the impact of
agricultural practices on Miscanthus biomass and phytoremediation parameters. These include incorporation of soil amendments, both mineral and
organic, and/or treatment of rhizomes with Plant Growth Regulators (PGRs).
Three and four years’ cultivation of the crop at this military site showed
good growth of Miscanthus with increasing biological parameters and harvest value (Chapter 5). Field experiments have shown the positive prospects
for application of the Miscanthus phytotechnology with biomass production
developed at contaminated military sites within NATO SPS MYP G4687 to
other locations in Ukraine and Czech Republic where there is need to revitalize the postmilitary sites and to produce biomass for energy and bioproducts.
The NATO project research field established on marginal agricultural
land at Tokarivka, Central Ukraine, illustrated the positive impact of different PGRs on Miscanthus development and harvest values on marginal land
(Pidlisnyuk and Stefanovska, 2018). The successful reclamation of mined
lands has been achieved by applying the best practices that are described in
the book (Chapter 5).
One long-term phytotechnology option in the restoration of contaminated
land is to develop it into a forest. Trees have been planted at many different
sites, especially minelands, to address contamination and improve soil health.
Some neglected sites eventually revert to forests if the climate is suitable. The
Forest Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture has developed the forestry reclamation approach, which has been used for successful reforestation
of mined lands. A book with best management practices has been published
by the U.S. Forest Service (Adams, 2017). Miscanthus has some specific advantages over woodlands when terrain permits its planting and harvest. First, it
will yield useful product as quickly as even rapid-cycling poplars or willows,
within 3–4 years. Because it is harvested annually, rather than on a longer rotation, it assures that biomass or income can be available every year. Second, it
is far easier to remove if plans for the land are changed. This is a significant
advantage on military or postmilitary lands that may be in transition. Third,
Miscanthus is easily made into locally useful materials such as clean animal
bedding or mulches, or used directly for combustion, and it will relatively rapidly decompose in situ without the need for chipping, unlike wood. This can
more quickly and economically enhance soil tilth which is often an important
component of the remediation of contaminated lands.
Economic issues are important and may limit choices at contaminated
sites. Because of climate change, more decisions are being made based on
sustainability and triple bottom line considerations. Adding organic carbon to the soil and improving soil health have value for society and may be
included in making decisions. Since some benefits of phytoremediation such