Only a few Miscanthus species — M. x giganteus, M. sinensis and M. sacchariflorus — have been investigated regarding biomass productivity and composition for breeding potential.

Miscanthus x giganteus, in particular, has demonstrated high productivity [39] in low input systems and a higher energy output:input ratio than maize [3]. However, Miscant­hus x giganteus has a narrow genetic diversity [16] and is not adapted to all climatic zones [40, 41]. It is crucial that the genetic diversity of the Miscanthus genus is investigated to determine if varieties suited to a broader range of environments can be developed.

Biomass yields increase each year in young Miscanthus plants, reaching a plateau after 2-5 years in M. x giganteus, depending on environmental conditions [3]. M. x giganteus and M. sacchariflorus took less time to reach a yield plateau than M. sinensis hybrids and M. sinensis genotypes [42]. During each growing season, yields peak during flowering [27] and then decline through the winter partly due to leaf loss [24] (Figure 4.4). In addition to time of harvest, biomass yield is influenced by environmental conditions [43] and genotype [24]. M. x giganteus and M. floridulus achieved higher aboveground biomass yields than M. sinensis and M. sacchariflorus in field trials in northern France [26]. In this study ploidy levels appeared to influence biomass production, with triploid and tetraploid forms of M. sinensis and M. sacchariflorus more productive than diploid forms. Zub et al. [26] also showed that plant height and shoot diameter were traits that contributed the most to biomass yield, regardless of harvest date or crop age.