Production and Economic Parameters of a Poplar (J 105) Coppice Plantation with Different Length of the First Rotation in the Conditions of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands

Abstract

The paper analysed production and economic effectiveness of a short-rotation coppice plantation, namely J 105, after the first rotation period of 7 and 8 years respectively. The plantation is located in the region of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands with an annual precipitation of 497 mm and mean air temperature of 8.6 °C. To assess the productivity, the trees were selected according to stem diameter at a height of 10 cm above the ground level and classified into three categories: I) 0–3.0 cm; II) 3.1–7.0 cm and III) > 7.0 cm. Sample trees were selected in each year. The economic effectiveness of the plantation was assessed as the difference between profits and costs for both rotation cycles. The mean annual above-ground biomass production for the 7-year rotation (2012) was 3.15 t/ha and 3.30 t/ha for the 8-year rotation (2013). The low productivity of poplar was due to slow growth (approx. 0.5 m in height) and drought in the first year after the plantation was established. The economic effectiveness for the 7-year rotation was CZK −5,300/ha and CZK +17,500/ha for the 8-year rotation. It was due to current total aboveground dry mass increment in the 8th year of rotation.