Clonal selection of Salix L. taxa perspective for biofuel production, evaluation of their dendrometric characteristics and accumulation of biomass in short rotation plantations

Abstract

Thirty seven clones were selected from the local Lithuanian flora, as well as from introduced and adapted willow taxa and studied in 1996–2004. Comparative analysis of dendrometric characteristics and dry biomass of stems of the taxa in the first and second rotations in short turnover plantations was carried out. Bush height, stem number and diameter, average dry weight per bush and its output are presented. The dendrometric characteristics and the dry biomass of willow stems were higher after the second rotation. Salix dasyclados 9977 and 04122, S. Viminalis ‘Americana’ 06119 and 9972, and S. viminalis 9975 clones and natural hybrids S. dasyclados × S. daphnoides 00104 and S. caprea × S. viminalis 06117 were the most perspective for growing in short rotations and should be studied in future. Keywords: Salix, clonal selection, morphology, biomass, short otation, intensive culture