Advances in the study and utilization of Miscanthus resources

As second-generation energy plants, Miscanthus species exhibit great potential in the development of renewable energy crops due to their high biomass and adaptability to a wide range of environments and soil conditions. China hosts a substantial variety of wild Miscanthus species, providing a unique opportunity for their development and utilization. In this review, we briefly introduce the current state and challenges in the taxonomy of the Miscanthus genus and provide an overview regarding the geographical distribution and biological features of Miscanthus species. We also provide a summary of recent studies focusing on flowering phenology, mating systems, population genetic variation, adaptive differentiation, hybridization, polyploidy, resource utilization, and genetic improvement. Finally, we identify potential challenges and outline future research directions, including basic studies for the utilization, exploitation, and industrialization of Miscanthus resources.