Morphobiological characteristics and evaluation of productivity of Salix L. clones selected for short-rotation coppice

Abstract

Some morphobiological characteristics and productivity of ten selected Salix L. clones were studied in field collections during a five-year period of growth. The growth intensity of bushes, the number of sprouts per bush, their average length and diameter, pecularities of slendering of sprouts and their productivity were evaluated using the rotation of oneyear- old sprouts. S. purpurea L. x S. viminalis L. 9607, S. integra Thunb. x S. Kochiana Trautv. 9606 hybrids and S. viminalis L. ‘Americana’ 9604, S. viminalis L. 9875, S. purpurea L. ‘Rubra’ 9649 clones had the most intensively growing sprouts. S. purpurea L. ‘Gracilis’ (2354 thous. specimens per ha), S. Purpurea L. ‘Rubra’ (1197 thous. specimens per ha) and S. purpurea L. x S. Viminalis L. hybrid (991 thous. specimens per ha) produced the biggest number of twigs. The immunity to diseases and pests of the studied taxa, hybrids and their clones is disscussed. Keywords: Salix L., clonal selection, morphobiological characteristics, short rotation, production of sprouts