Evaluation of morphobiological, biomass and energetic characteristics of Salix viminalis L. and S. dasyclados Wimm. genotypes in short rotation plantations

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Three Salix viminalis and four S. dasyclados genotypes were studied in 2004–2007. The intensity of bush growth, the number of sprouts per bush, their slenderness and the dynamics of biomass production were evaluated. The analysis of data showed that the height of bushes differed every year. The highest bushes reached up to 578 cm (S. viminalis ‘Tora’) and 504 cm (S. dasyclados 9977) in height after four years of growth. There was a tendency of change of the number of sprouts per bush: the maximum number was reached during the second year of growth, while it decreased during the third and the fourth years. The thickest stems were characteristic of S. dasyclados (4.1 cm) and S. dasyclados × S. viminalis 04120 (3,5 cm) genotypes. The height of bushes, stem number per bush and slenderness correlate with the accumulated biomass. The biggest energetic value of biofuel was characteristic of Salix dasyclados 04122 (18.72 MJ/kg), S. viminalis ‘Tora’ (18.41 MJ/kg) and S. dasyclados 04123 (18.16 MJ/kg). The lowest calorific value was characteristic of the hybrid S. dasyclados × S. viminalis 04120. The obtained data show that S. dasyclados clones 04122 and 9977, S. dasyclados × S. viminalis 04120, and S. viminalis ‘Americana’ 9976 are the most valuable biomass producers. Keywords: Salix, clonal selection, morphology, biomass, short rotation, bioenergy