Switchgrass and Giant Reed Energy Potential when Cultivated in Heavy Metals Contaminated Soils

The cultivation of energy crops on degraded soils contributes to reduce the risks associated with land use change, and the biomass may represent an additional revenue as a feedstock for bioenergy. Switchgrass and giant reed were tested under 300 and 600 mg Cr kg⁻¹, 110 and 220 mg Ni kg⁻¹, and 4 and 8 mg Cd kg⁻¹ contaminated soils, in a two year pot experiment. Switchgrass yields (average aerial 330 g.m⁻² and below ground 430 g.m⁻²), after the second year harvest, were not affected by Cd contamination and 110 mg Ni kg⁻¹, but 220 mg Ni kg⁻¹ significantly affected the yields (55–60% reduction). A total plant loss was observed in Cr-contaminated pots. Giant reed aboveground yields (control: 410 g.m⁻²), in the second year harvest, were significantly affected by all metals and levels of contamination (30–70% reduction), except in 110 mg Ni kg⁻¹ pots. The belowground biomass yields (average 1600 g.m⁻²) were not affected by the tested metals. Contamination did not affect the high heating value (HHV) of switchgrass (average 18.4 MJ.kg⁻¹) and giant reed aerial fractions (average 18.9 MJ.kg⁻¹, stems, and 18.1 MJ.kg⁻¹, leaves), harvested in the second year, indicating that the biomass can be exploited for bioenergy.