Productivity of the rod-shaped willow depends on varietal characteristics and frequency of biomass harvesting

Abstract

The problem of solid biofuel production in Ukraine based on basket willow varieties (Salix viminalis L.) is highlighted. It was established that it is impractical to grow energy plantations of varieties of this species with a rotation age of 6-8 years. It is more optimal to harvest the biomass of varieties of this willow every three years. The cultivar ``Tora'' is characterized by the highest yield of dry energetic biomass during the eight-year growing cycle – 58.05 t/ha. Cultivars Ternopilska (38.64 t/ha), Inger (36.90 t/ha) and Wilhelm (31.10 t/ha) are also characterized by high biomass yield, which indicates the expediency of their use for the creation of energy plantations in the conditions of the Right Bank Forest Steppe. Varieties of Polish selection ′Marzencinski′, ′Gigantea′ can also be considered promising for the research region. It is advisable to continue the study of the researched willow cultivars in order to clarify the periodicity of harvesting their biomass and the dynamics of yield during the entire period of existence of the plantations.