BioEcoAgro research on Miscanthus sinensis
mistigation
Objectives
BioEcoAgro research on Miscanthus sinensis

BioEcoAgro research on Miscanthus sinensis

Context

Crops dedicated to biomass production, such as miscanthus, play a key role in developing the bioeconomy and the valorization of ecosystem services. With its high productivity and low input requirements, this species represents a sustainable alternative to fossil resources for diverse end uses, including bioenergy and biomaterials. Beyond its productive value, miscanthus is also recognized as a service plant, contributing to the maintenance and improvement of environmental quality (see figure below).

schema_services_ecosystemiques_miscanthus_recherches
Figure representing the miscanthus and its ecosystem services, some of which constitute the core focus of BioEcoAgro, while other represent potential perspectives.

The sole valorization of ecosystem services is not sufficient to ensure profitability for miscanthus growers. Therefore, a multifunctional approach combining biomass production with the generation of environmental services is needed.

Biological specifities of miscanthus

  • As a perennial species, miscanthus can be propagated vegetatively and displays several levels of ploidy.
  • The triploid level (3x) is of particular interest, as it ensures seed sterility and eliminates the risk of invasiveness.
  • The stems, harvested annually, make the plant a pseudo-annual for its aboveground parts, similar to sugarcane or banana plants.
  • At INRAE, Miscanthus is studied as a pseudo-annual perennial species, while sugarcane and banana are studied by CIRAD.

Research axes and associated projects

Our activities align with the scientific priorities (GOS3) of the INRAE BAP department: identifying, understanding, and mobilizing plant and trait functions that underpin services for human, animal and environmental health.

These research activities are carried out within collaborative projects focused on miscanthus and ecosystem services, including:

  • The ADEME project MisTigation (mistifation.hub.inrae.fr)
  • The ANR project MisEauVert (miseauvert.hub.inrae.fr)

The main research axes include:

  • Quantitative genetics of traits associated to biomass production and composition.
  • Evaluation of nitrogen uptake and recycling, focusing on plant traits related to nitrogen management to mitigate local nitrate pollution and preserve water quality.
  • Adaptation of genomic and phenomic selection methods to miscanthus, considering its biological specificities (perennial growth, high heterozygosity), to shorten breeding cycles, as some traits reach their full expression only several years after establishment.

Collaborations at BioEcoAgro

Our work is closely conducted in collaboration with various teams from the AgroEcoSystem department, particularly in:

  • Defining new agronomic and ecophysiological traits associated with ecosystem services
  • Adapt our crop models (e.g. STIC) to account for the genetic variability of miscanthus
  • Explore new strategies to facilitate miscanthus adoption by growers

See also

https://mots-agronomie.inrae.fr/index.php/Miscanthus_:_une_culture_nouvelle_en_France

Modification date: 30 March 2026 | Publication date: 27 March 2026 | By: Séverine Monnot, Marion Zapater, Maryse Brancourt-Hulmel