also due to more favourable
microclimate conditions. During the two years, average WUE for
A. donax was greater than that of C. alternifolius for all growth
stages. In absolute terms, despite the fact the A. donax unit suffered
greater overall water losses compared to the C. alternifolius unit, it
is important to note that Giant reed used the water with greater
efficiency, also thanks to greater above-ground biomass production. Giant reed, although it is a C3 photosynthetic cycle species,
has a photosynthetic and production rate which is similar or above
that of many C4species