Data for: Spring emergence and canopy development strategies in miscanthus hybrids in Mediterranean, continental and temperate European climates

Due to its versatility and storability, biomass is an important resource for renewable materials and energy. Miscanthus hybrids combine high yield potential, low input demand, tolerance of certain marginal land types and several ecosystem benefits. To date, miscanthus breeding has focussed on increasing yield potential by maximising radiation interception through: 1) selection for early emergence, 2) increasing the growth rate to reach canopy closure fastest possible, and 3) delayed flowering and senescence. The objective of this paper is to compare early season re-growth in miscanthus hybrids cultivated at across Europe. Determination of differences in early canopy development on end-of-year yield traits are required to provide information for breeding decisions to improve future crop performance. Therefore, a trial was planted with four miscanthus hybrids (two novel seed-based hybrids M. sinensis×sinensis (M sin×sin) and M. sacchariflorus×sinensis (M sac×sin), a novel rhizome-based M ..., ,