Ecological and Socio-economic Evaluation of Weed Vegetation in Stands of Energy Grass Miscanthus × giganteus

In experimental research plots in Kolíňany (SW Slovakia), ecological and socio-economic characteristics of weed vegetation were evaluated in the energy stands of Miscanthus × giganteus during three vegetation seasons (2010–2012). The spontaneous vegetation in the Miscanthus stand was dominated by annual therophytes (55.5 to 62%) and geophytes (17.2 to 22.2%). We identified two categories of herbaceous undergrowth in Miscanthus plantation: with potential positive (e.g. presence of medicinal plants and plants with melliferous potential) and potential negative impacts (e.g. invasive and toxic plants). Based on our observations, we can conclude that the species composition of spontaneous herbaceous vegetation is comparable with weed vegetation found on arable land.