Can Biostimulants and Phytohormones Improve Early Growth, Biomass Allocation, and Photosynthesis in Miscanthus Plug Plants?

Obaje, JO ORCID: 0009-0002-1496-2318, Awty-Carroll, D ORCID: 0000-0001-5855-0775, Mos, M, Kam, J, Symonds, RC ORCID: 0000-0001-6838-2904 and Webster, RJ ORCID: 0000-0002-3424-9301 (2026) Can Biostimulants and Phytohormones Improve Early Growth, Biomass Allocation, and Photosynthesis in Miscanthus Plug Plants? Food and Energy Security, 15 (3). ISSN 2048-3694

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Abstract

Seed-based propagation of Miscanthus offers scalable potential for expanding bioenergy production; however, early establishment remains a major limitation due to poor plug vigour and variable field performance. This study evaluated the influence of selected biostimulants and phytohormones on germination, growth, biomass allocation, and photosynthetic efficiency in three Miscanthus seed-based hybrids (GNT3, GNT14, and GNT43) grown under controlled glasshouse conditions. Five treatments were applied—Liquid Ice, MicroPull, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), and an untreated control—during the plug phase. ANOVA revealed strong hybrid-dependent responses. Liquid Ice and IAA significantly enhanced stem elongation, total biomass, and photosynthetic capacity (rETRmax, Ik), while also shifting biomass allocation toward above-ground structures. MicroPull, in contrast, delayed germination and reduced photosynthetic parameters in certain hybrids, though it improved initial quantum yield (α) at low light intensities. Enhanced root and bud development under Liquid Ice and NAA treatments suggests improved plug vigour and potential for stronger field establishment. The observed morphological and physiological modifications indicate that targeted PGR use can simultaneously enhance early growth, resource allocation, and photosynthetic performance in Miscanthus. Additionally, the findings highlight the importance of hybrid-specific optimization of PGR regimes to improve plug quality and establishment success, advancing the scalability of seed-based Miscanthus systems for sustainable bioenergy production and net-zero carbon targets.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	biomass; biostimulants; clean energy; climate change; Miscanthus plugs; net-zero; PCA; plant growth regulators; 3108 Plant Biology; 31 Biological Sciences; 7 Affordable and Clean Energy; 0503 Soil Sciences; 0701 Agriculture, Land and Farm Management; 0703 Crop and Pasture Production; 3004 Crop and pasture production; 3108 Plant biology; 4106 Soil sciences
Subjects:	Q Science > QK Botany S Agriculture > S Agriculture (General)
Divisions:	Biological and Environmental Sciences (from Sep 19)
Publisher:	Wiley
Date of acceptance:	17 April 2026
Date of first compliant Open Access:	21 May 2026
Date Deposited:	21 May 2026 14:07
Last Modified:	21 May 2026 14:07
DOI or ID number:	10.1002/fes3.70248
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/28614

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