BIO-VALUE SPIR
Strategic platform for innovation and research on value-added products from biomass
SME – Final project report
SME Project title
Project leader
Optimisation of biomass production system for increased ressource efficiency
and sustained fertility of the agricultural areas. (In Danish: Optimering af
biomassedyrknings-system til forbedring af ressource-effektiviteten og
opretholdelse af jordens langsigtede frugtbarhed.)
Thorkild Frandsen, AgroTech
Project objective
The main purpose of the project was to develop and test a new method for establishment of sugar cane, sorghum and
giant miscanthus. The method is based on stem propagation using the Ellepot system, in which paper pots are used for
production of seedlings in nurseries. When the seedlings are robust they are taken from the nursery to the field and
planted using machines.
If the tests of the Ellepot system show good results it will give new market opportunities for Ellegaard. Brazil accounts
for approximately 40 % of the world´s sugar cane production. More than 9.5 million hectares are dedicated to sugar
cane plantations in this country alone. Every year new sugar cane plants are established on 20 % of this area. If the
Ellepot system is introduced and accepted as an alternative method for reestablishment of sugar cane plantations
there is a great potential for increased export of Ellegaard machines and paper to make the Ellepots in Brazil. If the
Ellepot system is applied for 5 % of the area of sugar plantations it is expected that the annual turnover of Ellegaard
will double and it will create 10 -15 new jobs.
This SME-project relates to the objective of Bio-Value Project 1: To optimize land management, logistics, biomass
harvesting and storage.
Project results (min. 500 words)
A report summarizing the results from the experiments undertaken by University of Copenhagen is included as Appendix
1. The main conclusions for each of the three species are listed below.
Sugar cane: It was possible to reach the target of 85 % sprouting after 31 days even in the small pots. In experiment 1
sprouting percentages between 51 and 66 % were achieved after 31 days. In experiment 2 sprouting percentages
between 95 – 100 % were achieved. The experiments demonstrated the importance of using fragments from freshly
cut stems.
Sorghum: The target of 85 % sprouting was not reached for sorghum. It is concluded from the experiments that mother
plants need to be older than 27 days. The stem may need to be of a certain diameter and buds more developed. More
experiments with sorghum are needed.
Miscanthus: Acceptable sprouting percentages were achieved (38 – 97 %). However, it was observed that after 3 weeks
growth ceased for many plants and the root development was relatively poor. As for sorghum it is concluded, that the
age of the mother plants is very important. Further studies are needed to investigate whether the use of growth
hormones could lead to better rooting of the seedlings.
The experiments with Ellepot show that this pot type is superior to plastic pots when producing seedlings, simply
because the paper pot offers protection to the root of the seedling. In all experiments, several seedlings grown in
plastic pots had severe root damages when removing the pot from the root. Some of the plants broke at the plant
base. Especially in sorghum and giant miscanthus experiments, as the seedlings were poorly rooted. In the sugar cane
experiments, breakage of stems or root damage would have caused higher failure at plant out and possibly, greater
transplant shock.
In general, the experiments of University of Copenhagen with these three species have given Ellegaard considerable
experience and knowledge on the prospects of stem propagation. However, more research is needed. It is believed
that the obtained results are valuable for growers using stem propagation.
A study tour to Brazil was undertaken as part of the project. The purpose of the study tour was to examine the market
opportunities for the Ellepot system and to create valuable contacts to potential customers and cooperation partners.
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BIO-VALUE SPIR
Strategic platform for innovation and research on value-added products from biomass
Bjarne Pedersen from Ellegaard was satisfied with the results from the study tour: “The study tour to Brazil gave us
valuable knowledge for the ongoing work with development of our business idea. We succeeded in establishing contact
with a certain Brazilian customer, who we wanted to start dialogue with for a long time”.
In the table below the milestones from the project application are listed and a short status for each milestone is given.
Milestones
Planning and preparation of first experiments.
Acquirement of plant material and transport to
Denmark.
Implementation of first series of experiments.
Field study to Brazil.
Implementation of second series of experiments.
Administration and reporting.
Status and results
Planning completed and the design for the first experiments is
established.
Sugar canes to be used for the first experiment were received
in Denmark. Even though transport time was longer than
expected it was still possible to identify sufficient plant material
to undertake the planned experiments.
First series of experiments with all three species have been
completed and results reported in the report University of
Copenhagen (see Appendix 1).
Field study completed with two participants from University of
Copenhagen, two participants from National Innovation
Center, and one participant from Ellegaard.
Second series of experiments with all three species have been
completed and results reported in the report from University of
Copenhagen (see Appendix 1).
The final project report is submitted to the BIO-VALUE
Secretariat. Request for final payment will be sent to the BIOVALUE Secretariat when the final project report is approved.
Industrial and societal results (min. 200 words)
The main interest for Ellegaard was the propagation functionality for sugar cane and the sprouting percentages in the
2nd trial were well above the success criteria of 85%. The project did not provide a finalized production manual for
sugar cane propagation but it gave some very useful indications.
The feasibility in propagation is vital and the key economic factor is the size of the Ellepot needed for successful
propagation. The smallest size Ellepot proposed was a 35 mm diameter and this is economically sound for sugar cane
propagators.
For Ellegaard the project provided very useful information on three main issues:
1. Cutting chips down to a diameter 20 mm does provide sprouting, even though the survival afterwards was
poor. Ellegaard believes this is only a matter of hormonal and nutritional treatment.
2. The cane raw material need to be freshly cut but it can be stored at 5° C for almost two weeks and still
provide near to acceptable establishing rates.
3. Ellepot is once again confirmed to hold an advantage against plastic containers, tubes or trays. This is vital for
the customer choice of which system to use.
The entrance to the sugar cane market is projected to take longer time than first expected. The financial situation in
Brazil has changed since the project started and this is a challenge for investments in new systems. However, the need
for new systems saving money is bigger than ever. The feasibility is important and with the small size of chips the
Ellepot system holds an advantage.
The major challenge in sugar cane is the logistics and this is not different for the new system. The number of plants for
propagation is huge and production of so many young plants and plant out is a major challenge for any propagator.
Companies developing new varieties of sugar cane could be the initial users of this propagation system. Today’s
propagation of new variety clones using tissue culture is more expensive and time consuming. Using the Ellepot chip
system can provide a faster way to propagate new variety clones for the commercial market.
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Strategic platform for innovation and research on value-added products from biomass
Cloning sugar cane plants depends on using a healthy and disease free raw material. This is easier to control in an
intensive nursery production system. This is another advantage for the chip system compared to present day
propagation system used worldwide.
The report from University of Copenhagen will be used by Ellegaard for marketing purposes. Ellegaard will use the
results to inspire customers to test the Ellepot system. Selling the Ellepot system is usually a long process including
initial testing before the customer decides to buy. The Ellepot chip system for cane propagation is a big change for the
growers and more testing than usual is expected.
The fact that Ellepot chip system does work for sorghum and some varieties of miscanthus is interesting and useful
information for Ellegaard. It could expand business opportunities using the Ellepot system in new applications.
Especially miscanthus which is grown in many regions around the globe constitutes an interesting opportunity.
Accounts
The overall accounts for the SME-project are presented in the table below. More details are included in Appendix 2.
Project partner
Københavns Universitet
National Innovation Center
AgroTech
Ellegaard A/S
Total
Budget
540.000
130.000
90.000
760.000
1.520.000
Total costs
declared
546.012
134.525
92.135
763.770
1.536.442
Bio-Value
contribution
540.000
130.000
90.000
0
760.000
Partner cofinancing
6.012
4.525
2.135
763.770
776.442
It is seen that the co-financing from the SME-partner Ellegaard constitutes a little more than 50 % of the financial
contribution from Bio-Value. The project leader, Thorkild Frandsen, has signed versions of financial statements from all
partners covering the total project period. A copy of these statements can be sent to the BIO-VALUE Secretariat if
needed.
Public dissemination of results
Bjarne Pedersen from Ellegaard presented the project and the first results on the BIO-VALUE Annual Meeting at
University of Aarhus in September 2014.
The final results from the project were presented by Thorkild Frandsen (AgroTech) at the BIO-VALUE Annual Meeting in
September 2015 in Copenhagen.
A video presenting the project and the main results has been made and published via YouTube. It can be seen using this
link: https://youtu.be/GfcjWK7z91s
An introduction to the project has been posted on the website of Bio-Value. Link to introduction.
Finally, University of Copenhagen is considering writing a manuscript to a scientific journal describing some of their
experiments and results with stem propagation and production of sugar cane, sorghum and giant miscanthus seedlings
in Ellepot.
Collaboration (min. 200 words)
The project partners´ participation in the two BIO-VALUE Annual Meetings resulted in new contacts to researchers and
industrial partners of the BIO-VALUE Consortium. For instance, a link was created to Borregaard Bioplant during the
Annual Meeting in Copenhagen and in November 2015 discussions are going on to find out whether there is a
potential for collaboration with Ellegaard.
All in all, however, the collaboration between this SME project and the BIO-VALUE platform has not been
comprehensive. The project has focussed on undertaking the planned activities and on meeting the project objectives
as described in the project application. No special attention has been paid to develop a close collaboration with the
BIO-VALUE platform since it has not been considered an objective in itself. Maybe this is due to the fact that this SMEproject is the first one approved under the BIO-VALUE SPIR SME-platform.
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BIO-VALUE SPIR
Strategic platform for innovation and research on value-added products from biomass
Generally speaking, cooperating with universities about development of the Ellepot system through research activities is
interesting for Ellegaard and will continue. Getting funds for this kind of research activities is however very time
consuming and getting approval of applications is difficult because Ellegaard is an exporting company. From the
Ellegaard perspective it seems that most funding is focused on Danish activities. Ellegaard is present in more than 90
countries in the world today and most plant cultures with high potential are not grown in Denmark.
Project spin-off (min. 100 words)
One of the major players in the Brazilian Sugar Cane industry is currently testing the new propagation system using
Ellepot. The contact was established during the fieldtrip in the beginning of the project. The results from the project
will be presented to them and together with their own testing Ellegaard expects a positive development in future
business with this company.
Based on the cooperation in the present SME-project a new project application was developed and submitted in
December 2014. The Title of the project application was “Biomaterials for sprouting and rooting of plants” and project
partners included Ellegaard, University of Copenhagen, FORCE Technology, Pindstrup Mosebrug and IMCD. 446,000
DKK was applied from the Innovation network for Biomass (INBIOM) but funding was not achieved.
Project challenges
Sugar canes from Brazil were necessary to undertake the experiments at University of Copenhagen. However, it was
more difficult than expected to get the permission to export the plant material. It delayed the sending of sugar canes
and consequently the quality of the plant material was not optimal. Still, it was possible to identify sufficient plant
material to undertake the planned experiments.
It is concluded from this experience that there can be barriers for sending plant material between countries even though
the Danish project partners had good contacts in Brazil in advance.
Another lesson learned from the project was that budgets related to especially implementation of experiments need to
be developed with great care. In this case the budgets for performing trials in the green houses of University of
Copenhagen underestimated the real costs. Part of the reason for the underestimation of costs is that the project
application was developed under great time pressure so there was not sufficient time for all involved partners to
evaluate and comment on the budgets. This challenge can be met by starting the project application early enough to
allow for a proper assessment of the budget when compared to the planned activities.
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Strategic platform for innovation and research on value-added products from biomass
Appendix 1 – Results from experiments of University of Copenhagen
Project results
Experiments were carried out from March 2014 till February 2015. The main aim was to investigate whether sugar
cane, sorghum and giant miscanthus could be effectively stem propagated in Ellepot. Specifically:



Can we use stem fragments, which are so small that it can be economically feasible to propagate them in Ellepot
(or other pot systems)?
Will it affect growth and development of seedlings if the stem fragments are placed horizontally or vertically (not
relevant for sorghum, as these stem fragments can only be planted vertically in Ellepot)?
How will a change in the climate conditions affect sprouting and growth of the seedlings?
While waiting for sorghum seeds and sugar cane stems from Brazil, we decided to include giant miscanthus in our
trials, as this species has similar propagation challenges. If stem propagation using small stem fragments turned out to
be possible, it would be of high interest to Ellegaard.
Experimental design and results are briefly presented on the following pages, separately for each species.
Sugar cane
Materials and methods. We received 12 months old stems of sugar cane (variety: SP832847) from Brazil in May 2014
with help from our Brazilian contact Kléber Pereira Lanças (FCA/UNESP-Botucatu/SP, NEMPA - Núcleo de Ensaio de
Máquinas e Pneus Agroflorestais, Brasil). The transportation time had been long, 12 days. Usually, it is not
recommended to use stems that have been cut more than a week ago. However, the stem material seemed to be in
good condition with healthy buds. Stems that seemed affected by herbivori or possible diseases were discarded. In the
first experiment (F1), stem nodes were cut in three different types of fragments (please see images shown in
Appendix): Cross sectional cut 30 mm, drilled 30 mm or drilled 20 mm. The bud was centered on each fragment. In the
first cut, all root primordia (placed around the stem) are intact. When the cut is made by drilling, some of the root
primordia are cut off, depending on stem diameter and drill size. The stem fragments were planted in either: Ellepot
50*80 mm, plastic tube (50 mm diameter, measured inside the top of the pot, decreasing diameter towards the
bottom, height 130 mm, same soil volume as in Ellepot 50*80 mm) or Ellepot 35*80 mm. After planting, the trays with
pots were placed randomized, with 20 replications/ block, in four blocks. Temperature in the greenhouse was 27 °C
day and 18 °C night (like mean temperatures in Sao Paolo in the main planting month, December).
The entire experiment was repeated in January 2015 (F2). Mother plants (8 months old) were originally seedlings
established in exp. 1 and grown at high temperature/ high irradiation in a green house chamber. Fresh stem cuttings
were used for the experiment (cut 1 to 12 hours before planting). Apart from the factors described above, we included
following parameters: Two different temperature regimes and an additional cross sectional cut (20 mm) that were
either planted vertically or horizontally.
Registrations during the experiment: Every third day number of sprouted stem fragments was registered. Seedling
height was registered four to six times during the 31 days growth period. After 31 days the seedlings would have been
ready for plant out. At harvest following parameters were registered: number of seedlings, seedling diameter
(measured one cm from the soil surface), weight of the seedling, number of tillers. In the second experiment root
samples were harvested and washed in order to measure fresh and dry weight (Ellepot 1-3 and plastic pots).
Results and discussion. Sprouting percentages were higher in Exp. 2 in comparison with Exp. 1. (Fig 1) This is probably
due to differences in storage time and age of the mother plants.
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Strategic platform for innovation and research on value-added products from biomass
Exp. 1: Sprouting percentages after 31
days
Ellepot 1
66
Plastic pot 1
62
Ellepot 2
Ellepot 3
60
51
Exp. 2: Sprouting percentages after 31 days
Ellepot 1
Plastic pot 1
Ellepot 2
Ellepot 3
Ellepot 4
Ellepot 5
Low T-1
Low T-2
98.75
95
100
98.75
100
100
55
35
Fig. 1. A. May-June 2014. Sprouting of sugar cane originating from stem fragments. The stems were cut in three sizes: Ellepot
1 and plastic pot 1: 30 mm cross section cut. Ellepot 2: 30 mm drilling. Ellepot 3: 20 mm drilling. Stem fragments were
planted in different pots: Ellepot 1 and 2: Ellepot size 50*80 mm. Plastic pot 1 : Plastic tubes (). Ellepot 3: Ellepot size 35*80
mm. B. January-February 2015. Sprouting of sugar cane originating from stem fragments. The stems were cut in four sizes:
Ellepot 1, Low T-1, Low T-2 and plastic pot 1: 30 mm cross section cut. Ellepot 2: 30 mm drilling. Ellepot 3: 20 mm drilling.
Ellepot 4 and 5: 20 mm cross section cut, placed either vertically (4) or horizontally (5) in the pots. The stem fragments were
planted in different pots: Ellepot 1 ,2,4,5 and Low T-1-2: Ellepot size 50*80 mm. Plastic pot 1 : Plastic tubes (). Ellepot 3:
Ellepot size 35*80 mm. Seedlings were grown at two different temperatures: Ellepot 1-5 and plastic pots: Mean diurnal
temperature approximately 26 °C, Low T-1 and Low T-2: Mean diurnal temperature approximately 20 °C.
In Exp. 1 plant growth was significantly faster when the seedlings originated from the largest cut (30 mm cross
section) in comparison with the cuttings made by drilling. There was no difference in plant height at harvest between
seedlings grown in Ellepot or plastic tubes. However, plants grown in Ellepot where more robust: Significantly larger
stem diameter, higher plant weight and more tillers per plant. In Exp. 2, results were a bit different: In this experiment
the 30 mm stem fragments made by drilling and grown in Ellepot produced the most robust plants: They had larger
stem diameter and higher plant weight at harvest in comparison with plants grown in plastic pots. In contrary, the
largest cross sectional cuttings produced plants that sprouted later and at harvest, the plants were significantly
smaller than the plants grown in plastic pots.
In both experiments the smallest stem fragments (20 mm drilled) showed relatively poor growth. This may be due to
the severe damage of root primordia when this cutting is made. These seedlings need more frequent watering, and
fertilizer at an earlier stage compared to the larger cuttings/ pot types. For Ellegaard, the potential of using this small
cutting is of high interest because they can be planted in 35 mm pots. Thereby costs are reduced markedly for the
sugar cane growers. Ellegaard was therefore satisfied with the result in Exp. 2, where almost all stem fragments
sprouted. This means that if fresh plant material is used for propagation, the problems with slow growth may be
resolved by optimizing growth conditions for the seedlings in this particular pot type. The differences in results in Exp.
1 and 2, that are difficult to explain, may complicate our possibilities for scientific publication. However, the results
have given Ellegaard valuable information that they can use for further work with their contacts in Brazil.
Sorghum
We were not able to import sorghum stems, and we had difficulties to get the seeds we needed. In May 2014 we
received 20 seeds of the sweet sorghum variety “Keller” and 20 seeds of the grain sorghum variety “BTx623” from
Professor Søren Rasmussen. In September 2014 we received additionally 200 seeds of “Keller”.
Mother plants established from seeds where grown twice: May to September 2014 (Exp. 1) and September to January
2015. Growing sorghum during wintertime turned out to be a challenge (Exp. 2 and 3), even though these plants were
grown in a separate greenhouse cell at relatively high temperature, humidity and irradiation. Therefore, stems used
for propagation in Exp. 2 and 3, were thinner and buds were less developed. Sorghum plants do not develop tillers,
therefore many plants are needed for stem propagation. Usually, sorghum is seed propagated. Stem propagation is
only needed in the development of new varieties.
Materials and methods. In all experiments sorghum stems were cut in four cm fragments and planted in either Ellepot
(50*80 mm) or plastic pots (Exp. 1: square, 58*65 mm, same volume of soil as Ellepot; Exp. 2 & 3: Plastic tubes
delivered by Ellegaard, same size as Ellepot (with open bottom)). It was not possible to use smaller cuttings without
damaging the sorghum buds, which are large, especially the oldest buds close to the soil surface. Larger cuttings
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Strategic platform for innovation and research on value-added products from biomass
would not have been relevant for propagation in Ellepot, as the pots required would be too big to be economically
feasible.
The fragments were cut one cm below the bud and three cm above. Five nodes, closest to the base of the plant, was
used from each plant. In Exp. 1 the seedlings were transplanted in large pots after 22 days. Plants were harvested
after 70 days. In Exp. 2 & 3 seedlings were harvested when they were ready for plant out, 27 days after planting the
stem fragments. During the growth period and at harvest following parameters were registered: Sprouting and plant
height (2 to 3 times), harvest height and plant weight.
Results and discussion. Percentage sprouted stem fragments was relatively low in Exp. 1 (Table 1), especially the
fragments grown in plastic pots. During the 70 days of growth, some seedlings died, and only 20.4-37 % of the pots
contained established plants after 70 days.
Sorghum Exp. 1
Ellepot
Plastic pots
Sprouted (%)
62.5
44.4
Transplanted (%)
66.7
37.0
Established %
37.0
20.4
Table 1. Sprouting and establishments of sorghum plants originating from stem fragments.
Seed propagated mother plants were relatively homogeneous in growth and size. However, stem propagation
resulted in plant material with high variation. In Exp. 1 plants were larger and with larger roots when they were grown
in Ellepot. However, even though this difference seemed quite obvious (Fig. 2), there was no significant difference due
to the high variation and low number of established plants.
Root weight at harvest
100
14
Root weight (g fresh weight)
Plant weight (g fresh weight)
Plant weight at harvest
80
60
40
20
0
Ellepot
Plastic pot
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
Ellepot
Plastic pot
Fig. 2. Plant weight (A) and root weight (B) of sorghum after 70 days growth.
In Exp. 2, sprouting percentages were higher, ranging from 61 to 78 % (same climatic conditions as in Exp. 1, except
lower irradiation from outside as they were grown in January-February). Sprouting percentages were lower (ranging
from 38-40 %) when the seedlings were grown at a lower temperature. However, in these experiments, most
seedlings started to wither 14-21 days after planting. Examination of the roots at harvest revealed very poor root
growth. Of all the sprouted stem fragments (209 stem fragments), only eight stem fragments had developed roots
after 27 days (3.8%). In the cooler greenhouse, none of the planted stem fragments had developed roots.
The results indicate that to obtain effective stem propagation of sorghum, the mother plants need to be older than
the plants we used in Exp. 2 and 3. The stems may need to be of a certain diameter, age and the buds need to be
more developed. Further studies are needed to reveal these issues. Ellegaard do not have immediate interest in this
market. It is however interesting that the plants grown in Ellepot seem to have higher sprouting percentages in the
first experiment and better growth.
Giant miscanthus
Miscanthus x giganteus is a naturally sterile allotriploid (2n = 3x = 57), a trait which minimize the energy crop’s
potential to become invasive. However, this sterility leads to challenges in propagation of the plant. Currently the
species is mainly propagated by division of rhizome fragments. This method requires digging up the parent plant and
the multiplication rate is relatively low. Alternatively, the species can be propagated by stem fragments.
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Strategic platform for innovation and research on value-added products from biomass
In this study we investigated whether the success of propagation and establishment of seedlings could be increased by
planting stem fragments in paper pots “Ellepot”.
The present study was conducted to answer the following questions:
 How do (i) pot type, (ii) pot size/ stem fragment size, (iii) planting position, and (iiii) node position influence
emergence of M. giganteus shoots from stem nodes?
 Are relatively small nodal stem fragments of 2-3 cm able to give roots and establish seedlings with low failure
which are ready for plant out in 30-45 days?
Materials and methods. Rhizomes of M. giganteus were dug up from a field near Foulum, Foulumgaard, Aarhus
University, 12 km east of Viborg, Denmark (56° 30’N, 9° 35’E). Mother plants were established in a greenhouse (Mean
temp. 21.3 °C, irrigation twice a day and artificial light supplement whenever outside irradiation was less than 700
µmol) from these rhizomes on March 20, 2014.
After six months growth stems were harvested and immediately used for propagation. Experiment 1 was started
September 18th, and Experiment 2 one week later, September 25th. Leaves were removed from the stem to reveal
individual nodes. The stems had five to eleven nodes per stem, however, only the first six nodes were used for the
experiment. The node closest to the soil surface was considered “node 1” and numbering progressed upward toward
the shoot apex. Cuttings of two to three cm were prepared for the experiments. Three pot types were used: Ellepot
(50 mm diameter, height 80 mm), plastic pot (Square, 58 mm*65 mm) or Ellepot (35 mm diameter, height 80 mm). All
pots contained the same peat moss, and the Ellepot and plastic pots in exp. 1a and 2a contained the same volume of
peat. The stem fragments were planted horizontally, or vertically and completely covered with 1 cm peat moss. Pots
were placed in a greenhouse (mean temp. 21.6 °C, irrigation twice a day and artificial light supplement whenever
outside irradiation was less than 700 µmol). Results from a pilot experiment conducted four weeks before revealed
low rooting of stem fragments. Therefore, three weeks after planting it was decided to move all pots to a greenhouse
with higher temperature and higher irradiation (24.1 °C, irrigation twice a day and artificial light supplement whenever
outside irradiation was less than 1000 µmol).
To see whether higher temperature during the first sprouting period would increase rooting, an extra experiment,
identical to exp. a, was started in the warmer greenhouse on September 25 (exp. 1d). These pots were placed in the
warmer greenhouse from the beginning.
Registrations and Harvest of seedlings
During the early growth period emergence and seedling height was registered twice a week. Three weeks after
planting plant heights were measured once a week. All seedlings were harvested 46 days after planting, in order to
evaluate the shoot and root growth at this developmental stage. This stage was selected as most of the wellestablished seedlings seemed ready for plant out. At harvest following morphological measurements were taken:
Plant height, number of fully developed leaves, plant fresh weight, plant dry weight, length of the longest root,
number of roots, root origin (either from the base of the shoot or from root primordia), root fresh weight and root dry
weight. In exp. 2c and 1d, roots were not harvested.
Results and discussion. In most of the experiments, sprouting percentages were acceptable (Figure 3). The stem
fragments developed shoots and the first three weeks, the seedlings seemed to be in good growth. When the
seedlings reached 10-20 cm height, some of the seedlings started slowly to wither and their growth ceased.
Exp. 1: Ellepot 50 mm
97.2
Exp. 1: Plastic pot
91.7
Exp. 2: Ellepot 50 mm
72.2
Exp. 2: Plastic pot
73.6
Exp. 1: Ellepot 35 mm horizontal
90.3
Exp. 1: Ellepot 35 mm vertical
Exp. 2: Ellepot 35 mm vertical
76.4
37.5
Exp. 2: Ellepot high temp.
51.4
Exp. 2: Plastic pot high temp.
52.8
Fig. 3. Percentage sprouted stem fragments.
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Strategic platform for innovation and research on value-added products from biomass
Failure varied from 48.6 to 86.1 % of the pots. Besides, among the plants with developed roots (noted as “established
plants” in Fig. 2) root development was relatively poor in many pots, and it is possible that establishment in the field
after transplanting would have led to considerable failure.
Exp. 1: Ellepot 50 mm
34.7
Exp. 1: Plastic pot
37.5
Exp. 2: Ellepot 50 mm
31.9
Exp. 2: Plastic pot
51.4
Exp. 1: Ellepot 35 mm horizontal
23.6
Exp. 1: Ellepot 35 mm vertical
30.6
Exp. 2: Ellepot 35 mm vertical
Exp. 2: Ellepot high temp.
Exp. 2: Plastic pot high temp.
29.2
13.9
15.3
Fig. 4 Percentage “Established plants”. Established plants refer to plants with developed roots (with the longest root being at
least 2 cm long). In two of the sub-experiments (exp. 2 vertical planting and planting at high temperature) roots were not
harvested. In that case, established plants are plants in good growth, i.e. plants with continual growth (more than 1 cm)
during three following height measurements.
The experiments with giant miscanthus reveal some challenges regarding the establishment and rooting of seedlings.
Further studies are needed to investigate whether the use of growth hormones could lead to better rooting of the
seedlings. Additionally, comparing our study with studies carried out by other researchers suggest that the age of the
mother plants is very important.
Concluding remarks
In general, our experiments with these three species have given us and Ellegaard considerable experience and
knowledge on the prospects of stem propagation. However, more research is needed. We do believe that the results
we have obtained are valuable for growers using stem propagation.
Our experiments with Ellepot show that this pot type is superior to plastic pots when producing seedlings, simply
because the paper pot offers protection to the root of the seedling. In all experiments, several seedlings grown in
plastic pots had severe root damages when removing the pot from the root. Some of the plants broke at the plant
base. Especially in sorghum and giant miscanthus experiments, as the seedlings were poorly rooted. In the sugar cane
experiments, breakage of stems or root damage would have caused higher failure at plant out and possibly, greater
transplant shock.
We are at this stage considering writing a manuscript to a scientific journal describing (some of) our experiments and
results with stem propagation and production of sugar cane, sorghum and giant miscanthus seedlings in Ellepot.
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Strategic platform for innovation and research on value-added products from biomass
Appendix 2 – Final accounts
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Strategic platform for innovation and research on value-added products from biomass
Appendix 3 – Report from study tour to Brazil
Part of the SME project is to study the sugar cane business in Brazil as well as establishing network to universities and
researchers.
Program for the Week
Saturday
Departure from Denmark and Arrival in São Paulo, Brazil
Sunday
Visit to the Danish Consulate in São Paulo
Monday
Trip to Piracicaba with Pindstrup employee
Tuesday
Workshop at CTBE, Campinas
Wednesday
Workshop at NEMPA. FCA/UNESP Botucato
Thursday
Meeting at ESALQ, Piracicaba
Visit at auction and nursery
Friday
Visit at Canavialis, Monsanto in Campinas
Departure from Brazil
Saturday
Arrival in Denmark
Participants from the project:
Christian Andreasen, University of Copenhagen
Anne Merete Rask, University of Copenhagen
Bjarne B. Pedersen, Rep. Ellegaard
Flemming Pors Knudsen, National Innovation Centre
Bente Thomsen, National Innovation Centre
Guests:
Svend Erik Lanng, Pindstrup Mosebrug
Marcos Merzel, Pindstrup Mosebrug
Erik B. Pedersen, Danish Grower
Map overview
Zilor
NEMP
A
Sugarcane Industry
ESAL
Q
Raize
n
The
CTB
E
Monsan
to
Sugarcane: Planted area in 2011 - 9.616.615 hectares
Sugar Production in 2011 - 35.925.000 ton
Ethanol Production in 2011 -22.682.000 m³
Power- Several sugar mill companies produce power from cane residue
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BIO-VALUE SPIR
Strategic platform for innovation and research on value-added products from biomass
Sugarcane Planted area, 1980 2011
12,000,000
10,000,000
8,000,000
6,000,000
4,000,000
2,000,000
0
1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010
Source: prepared by UNICA with data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics – IBGE.
Brazilian participants
Raizen
The largest sugar cane company in Brazil (and the world). Merger between Cosan and Shell. Cultivating approx.
600.000 hectares of sugar cane. 24 sugar mills, 22 of them in the state of São Paulo.
The visit at one of their fields Wednesday close to their biggest sugar mill was arranged by Kléber Pereira Lanças from
FCA/UNESP in Botucatu.
Zilor
Sugar mill company near Paulista outside Botucatu. The company runs a sugar cane production in a total area of
30.000 ha. Zilor started in 1946 by Mr. Zillo Lorenzetti. In 1952 they started producing ethanol and in 1998 they
started selling power. Zilor is known to be very progressive and have stated interest in testing the Ellepot system in a
commercial test. (1000 hectares). They participated in the workshop in Botucatu.
Monsanto
One of the larger companies in the world. They purchased the Brazilian company Canavialis which is one of five major
companies developing new sugar cane varieties. The have laboratory facilities in Campinas for multiplication of new
varieties and at their site in Conchal developing varieties from seed they use the Ellepot system.
CTBE
The Brazilian Bioethanol Science and Technology Laboratory (CTBE). This is a unit at UNICAMP, university in Campinas.
They investigate the potential in growing sugar cane among a line of research issues in bioethanol production. They
perform research in planting patterns, harvesting and other field technologies.
NEMPA
Department at UNESP, university Paulista. The unit tests agricultural equipment and tyres. The university is situated in
Botucatu in an area close to all major sugar mill companies.
ESALQ
Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture in Piracicaba. Large agricultural campus educating all level students within
agriculture. Professor Edgar Gomes Ferreira de Beauclair, a long time expert in sugar cane participated in the meeting
Thursday.
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BIO-VALUE SPIR
Strategic platform for innovation and research on value-added products from biomass
Minutes from meetings
Visit to the Danish
Consulate in São Paulo
General introduction to Brazil and some of the services and strategies for the
innovation centre
Workshop at CTBE,
Campinas
Introduction to the research in field management. It is known that sugar cane yield
could be up to 300 ton per hectare. Present average is just below 100 and some of the
best can grow up to 150 to 200 ton per hectare.
Research in planting patterns suggests that an optimum distance between plants and
rows is 750mm.
It is confirmed that planting machines need flexibility in planting pattern distances.
Old system using one row pattern causes soil pressure in 60% of the field. Two row
pattern decrease this to 40%. New systems investigated should decrease further to
approx. 15%.
They had an estimated use of plants per hectare at 8000 (wonder if they mean acre
instead of hectare?) Value of one ton 35-40 R$ + earnings.
Sales price of young plants between 0,55-1,0 R$.
It was mentioned that they had been investigating the Ellepot system a year ago, but
they didn’t find it interesting at the time.
Workshop at NEMPA.
FCA/UNESP Botucato
Monsanto and Zilor presentations at the workshop.
Visit at Raizen developing young plants for the field using tray ø35-40mm diameter.
They need the paper pot system to make their system effective. People from
Monsanto confirmed that cutting a cylindrical chip, ø20mm diameter, works well, they
tested this. This is the target size set by Ellegaard.
The ratoon stunting disease is not visible on the stalk or the bud. Need to test material
before using it to make sure it is not brought to the field.
This disease causes great losses to the growers. The harvesting machinery is spreading
the disease very fast and causes the yield to drop the following year.
Meeting at ESALQ,
Piracicaba
The university has good relations to University of Copenhagen. They have signed
agreements on student exchange programs.
Professor Edgar Beauclair said that planting 6-7 hectares per day with one machine
would be useful. Presenting the Ellepot system he was very interested in testing this. If
it worked as suggested he seemed confident that it would be useful for the sugar mills
for field propagation.
Otherwise it would only be useful for the nursery production at the variety developing
companies.
Visit at Canavialis,
Monsanto in Campinas
After having signed an agreement upon arrival it is very little information that can be
brought to the report.
However the company is an Ellegaard customer and they said that they would like to
use the Ellepot system for all their production when Ellegaard establish a local entity
with storage facility of paper. They didn’t want to risk the supply of paper to be
unstable.
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