Biomass Production in the Short Rotation Coppice of Poplar Species Treated with Low-Concentrated Liquid Fertilizer

Abstract

A short rotation coppice (SRC) refers to cultivation systems using fast-growing tree species with the ability to re-sprout from the stump after harvest. Harvest in SRC cultivation occurs in short intervals, 2-6 years, and management practices are more similar to those of agricultural annual crops than to forestry. The SRC for production of biomass for heat and electricity is considered a very promising means to meet the different targets set to increase the amount of renewable energy. This study was conducted to analyze growth characteristics and biomass production of poplar clones in the SRC under the treatment of slurry composting and biofiltration liquid fertilizer (SCBLF). The average survival rate of poplar clones at SCBLF treatment was 95.0% and that at control was 92.5%, respectively. The average number of shoot at the treatment was 11.8 ea/clone and that of control was 11.5 ea/clone. ’72-31’, ‘Bonghwa1’ and ‘Clivus’ from Populus alba × P. glandulosa were superior clones for the number of shoot with 17.1 ea/clone, 14.5 ea/clone and 13.8 ea/clone at the treatment of SCBLF. For the average of leaf area, the SCBLF treatment showed 35% broader leaf (71.0 cm) than control (52.3 cm). The annual average of above-ground biomass production showed 51% better at the SCBLF treatment (8.5 ton/ha) than control (5.6 ton/ha). ‘Clivus’, ‘72-31’ and ‘Bonghwa1’ clones from P. alba × P. glandulosa were superior for the annual average of above-ground biomass production with 15.2 ton/ha, 14.0 ton/ha and 11.6 ton/ha at the treatment of SCBLF.