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Abstract
Energy budgets were prepared for irrigated, intensively cultured plantations of Populus Tristis number 1 and jack pine in northern Wisconsin. Energy inputs into biomass production (site preparation, fertilization, weed control, irrigation, and harvesting) and into material processing (chipping and drying) amounted to about 20 percent of the total energy at age 10. The available energy (after deducting energy inputs) in 10-year old plantations of P. Tristis number 1 and jack pine was 2353 and 1863 MBtu/ha, respectively, which is equivalent to the energy in 430 and 340 barrels of oil. This was 43 and 13 percent more energy than that reported for highly productive, nonirrigated, intensively cultured plantations and a naturally regenerated forest. This indicates that energy invested in irrigation brings commensurate energy returns. The available energy from forest biomass, which is negligible when compared with the total energy consumption in the United States, could be increased by a widespread application of existing agronomic technology.
Published Version
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