Yield and fuel characteristics of willows tested for biomass production on agricultural soil

Abstract

Short rotation coppice (SRC) plantations of fast growing trees in Czech Republic may be grown on approximately 120,000 ha in future, as indicated in the Czech Action Plan for Biomass. Until now, 2,800 ha of SRC were established using predominantly poplar non-native hybrid clone Max-4. The aim of this experiment and article is evaluation of promising domestic clones of willow species and their natural hybrids, to discover their yield parameters and fuel characteristics in field conditions. The experiment was established in Průhonice in 2005 and it was harvested two times in triennial rotation (2008, 2011). For the test of fuel properties biomass was used from three willow species: common osier (Salix viminalis) S-337, Smith's willow (S.× smithiana) S-218 and white willow (S. alba). Mean hectare yield of biomass in oven dry tonnes (o.d.t) of all the observed clones after first harvest was 3.9 o.d.t/ha/year, and after second harvest 10.4 o.d.t/ha/year. Observed willow clones had comparable or better yields as well as selected fuel properties (content of ash, melting point) in comparison with poplar clones used in the experiment.

Keywords

• short rotation coppice
• emissions
• native willow