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.

Willow Biomass as Energy Feedstock: The Effect of Habitat, Genotype and Harvest Rotation on Thermophysical Properties and Elemental Composition

“…[10,37]. It also lay within this range when determined for other willow species harvested in a three-year rotation [42].…”

“…[29,30,40,41]. The ash content as determined in another study in a three-year harvest rotation also varied between species (1.25-1.76%)-it was the lowest in S. alba, and the highest in S. Smithiana [42]. The mean ash content in willow biomass harvested in a 3-and 4-year rotation was 1.4% d.m.…”

Determination of Strength Properties of Energy Plants on the Example of Miscanthus × Giganteus, Rosa Multiflora and Salix Viminalis

“…He also examined the LHV for Miscanthus × giganteus (16.9 MJ•kg −1 at the moisture content of 8.8%) and Rosa multiflora (17.6 MJ•kg −1 at moisture content 18.3%). In turn, Weger et al [47] analyzed Salix viminalis, obtaining the following values: ash content (1.35%), VM (81.02%) and LHV (18.66 MJ•kg −1 ).…”

Effects of Site, Genotype and Subsequent Harvest Rotation on Willow Productivity

“…Willow has several advantages as an SRWC, including a wide range of genetic diversity, easy reproduction, tolerance to a wide range of site conditions, ability of new shoots to rapidly regrow after multiple harvests, possibility of harvests in different rotations, resistance to disadvantageous environmental conditions, e.g., morning frost, wet snow and strong winds [4,15,16]. Therefore, willow biomass production in short harvest rotations has been researched in many countries, including Europe [17][18][19], Canada and the USA [20][21][22][23]. Production of willow as an SRWC can be profitable [24,25], its energy balance is positive [26,27] and it brings measurable environmental benefits [15,[28][29][30].…”