The Perspective of Cultivation and Utilization of the Switchgrass,

Panicum virgatum, in Moldova

Victor Țîței

“Alexandru Ciubotaru” National Botanical Garden (Institute)
of the Moldova State University, Chişinău

Keywords: biochemical composition, biochemical methane potential, forage quality, Panicum virgatum genotypes, productivity.

Abstract: The goal of this research was to evaluate the productivity and quality indices of phytomass from switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) genotypes grown in the experimental plot of the National Botanical Garden (Institute), Chişinău, Republic of Moldova, as forage and feedstock for the production bio methane. It was determined that the productivity of studied switchgrass genotypes varied from 3.85 to 4.45 kg/m² fresh mass or 1.41 to 1.75 kg/m² dry matter. The analysis of the biochemical composition suggested that the dry matter of the whole plant mowing middle flowering stage had 61-68 g/kg CP, 412-419 g/kg CF, 422-433g/kg ADF, 653-692 g/kg NDF, 49-52 g/kg ADL, 231-259g/kg HC, 373-381 g/kg Cel, 82-93 g/kg ash. The nutritive and energy value of switchgrass fresh mass forage was 52.2-56.0% DDM, 9.04-9.06 MJ/kg ME and 5.05-5.018 MJ/kg NEl. The biochemical methane potential of fresh mass mass substrates 310 l/kg. Switchgrass, Panicum virgatum is multi-purpose crops, may be use as alternative forage and feedstock for bio methane production.