| Abstract Detail
Ecological Section Guene Nanchen, Melina [1], Rochefort, Line [1], Pouliot, Remy [1]. Effect of mowing graminoid plants on the development of Sphagnum moss carpets. The market for biomass production made of Sphagnum fiber is expanding. Currently, Sphagnum fibers sold on the market are usually harvested in the wild in North America. To minimize human impact on natural peatlands, many researchers are looking for the possibility to produce Sphagnum mosses in culture basins on a cyclic and renewable basis as an alternative to wild harvest. Despite these many benefits, research on Sphagnum farming is still limited, especially research on the factors that could increase Sphagnum productivity. This project will evaluate the effect of mowing graminoid plants as a control method on the development of Sphagnum layer within man-made peatland basins. Monitoring of the Sphagnum layer development was carried out in Sphagnum culture basins established two and eight years ago where a control by weed-cutter has been made. Graminoid plants densities show, after two years of monitoring, that graminoids control is efficient. The effect of control on Sphagnum thickness differs with the age of the carpet. However, graminoids control seems to have no influence on Sphagnum biomass accumulation. We supposed that either the effect of control is not yet visible or that graminoids density is too low within the carpet. Therefore, graminoids control seems not to be necessary when graminoids density is lower than 40 %. In conclusion, optimization of structural growth conditions can also be an important factor for improving Sphagnum farming productivity.
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1 - Laval University, Centre for Northern Studies, Department of plant sciences, 2425, rue de l'Agriculture, Québec, Québec, G1V 0A6, Canada
Keywords:
Sphagnum farming
graminoid
Weed control.
Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Sections
Session: P
Location: Hall D/The Shaw Conference Centre
Date: Monday, July 27th, 2015
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PEC014
Abstract ID:439
Candidate for Awards:None |
