Bioenergy production based on short rotation coppice willow plantations (SRC) is an effective direction both for economic and environment profit. The yield of willow wood can amount to 10-15 tons per hectare of dry biomass per year and the cost of thus obtained energy is lower in comparison with other energy crops. In order to achieve high yield and profitability, the use of special willow clones is necessary. Species most often used in selection for biomass production are shrub type willows: Salix viminalis, Salix dasyclados and Salix schwerini, while the clones tested in this paper were also of tree species Salix alba. The productivity and some physiology characteristics of Serbian selection clones of Salix alba (Backa, Volmianka and Drina) and Swedish selection clone Jorr (Salix viminalis) were investigated in greenhouses and in field conditions. As the result of testing three clones of Salix alba - Backa, Volmianka and Drina, having special preferences and adaptability to different environmental conditions, these were included in State register of Republic of Belarus in 2013. In our experiment it was also satisfactory that specific properties of willows (intensity of transpiration and photosynthesis, water use efficiency and others), were conserved both in greenhouses and in field conditions. This factor gives opportunity to select prospective clones of willows at an early stage of ontogenesis for further testing.

The goal of this research is an assessment of the possible use of peatlands biomass and straw for the production of mixed bio-pellets. Peaty soils are a specific type of soils formed as the result of wetlands drainage. Peat mining is completed by the factory if the layer of the peat is less than 1-2 meters and not enough deep for effective mechanical excavation. After the peat excavation is finished, the biggest problem is the use of these lands for other purposes. One of the perspective directions is rewetting of post-mining peatlands to stimulate the growth of common reed, cattail, fescue, sedge, and other grasses which may grow in natural conditions, and also improve conditions for the cultivation of other plants, including trees. The yield of wetland grass in Belarus varies from 8.1 to 14 DM g ha-1 per year. The yield of willow wood can reach 8-10 of DM g ha-1 per year. The highest prime cost of biomass is obtained for willow wood, but it will be lower with the enlargement of the plantation area. Pellets with a high content of wood residues (sawdust) have the best technological parameters including calorific value when compared to pellets from only peat and peat plus straw. Biomass production on degraded peaty soils has also an ecological effect. The cost of carbon quotas on the market varies from 20 to 25 euro per ton, and biomass production can provide additional profit in the case of CO2 emissions trading depending on the biomass content in the fuel.