Quantifying the peak yields of four cellulosic bioenergy crops in the East-Central Poland.

Abstract

Through the six successive years (2010–2015), from the 5th to the 10th year of cultivation, research was carried out on yielding and species characteristics of 4 perennial vegetatively propagated energy crops. These were: 2 species of Miscanthus, Sida hermaphrodita, and 2 Salix viminalis clones (1047 and 1054), cultivated side-by-side. The height and shoot number, yield and biomass moisture were evaluated. The highest shoot density of Miscanthus sacchariflorus was found, while the largest yield of Miscanthus × giganteus. Salix viminalis and Miscanthus × giganteus biomass was characterized by the highest content of accumulated moisture (on average 50%). The Sida hermaphrodita plants were appeared as the tallest ones on the six-year average. It is worth mentioning, we have concluded that yield of Miscanthus, and Sida is high and stable in the long-term study. However, in the average yields of these 2 species (Miscanthus × giganteus and Sida hermaphrodita) no statistically significant differences were found. Results can strengthen the improved species diversity in perennial energy crops cultivation.