April 26, 2024: Extension of the research field in Vorzel, Ukraine

On April 26, 2024, the joint team from NULES and NULP, Ukraine, led by Dr. Tatyana Stefanovska, Co-Director from NULES, extended research M×g plantation in Vorzel, Bucha Rajon, Kyiv region, established in 2023 at the military site in the vicinity of Vorzel town, Bucha rajon, Kyiv region, Ukraine. In the extended field, the cooperative growth in intercropping with perennial legumes as possible compensation mechanisms for the first two vegetations of Miscanthus will be tested. Local stakeholders: Director of the Vorzel station Valery Dmitrenko, Ing. Iryna Artemchuk, and students of NULES (Faculty of Plant Protection, Biotechnology and Ecology), assisted in the planting of M×g rhizomes.

Preliminary basic soil treatment was provided which included deep ploughing and cultivation actions to kill weeds and to create a soil structure favorable for the germination of planted rhizomes. Miscanthus rhizomes variety “Osinniy Zotecvit” were taken on April 23, 2024, from the deposit M×g field in Tоkarivka, Skvira rajon, Kyiv region. In addition to intercropping, a newly received biochar from the Miscanthus waste was incorporated into the field in doses 5 and 10%.

Co-Director Dr. Vytalii Stadnik and Dr. Martin Sozansky (NULP) collected soil samples for determination of the content of the Organic Carbon, mobile forms of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Permanganate Oxidizable C for the evaluation changes of these parameters during multiyear Miscanthus growth. Soil samples were collected in field No. 1 – second year of evaluation (soil was amended by industrial biochar Ideale) and at the newly established field 2024 (soil was amended by biochar produced at the pilot scale within the current project).