Gas exchange measurements on Miscanthus leaves

Miscanthus has a high yield potential, but even though it is less cold sensitive than other C₄ species, it emerges later in spring than C₃ species. Xiurong et al. identified one Miscanthus sacchariflorus with a level of cold tolerance similar to Miscanthus × giganteus.

They also found a positive linear correlation between net photosynthesis and shoot growth rate as well as specific leaf area. These are relatively easy to measure and useful for the screening of productivity and cold tolerance. The Miscanthus genotype with high cold tolerance can be useful for breeding of new interspecies hybrids or cultivation in temperate climates.