Willow Salix Viminalis Research Articles

Cascaded use of perennial industrial crop biomass: The effect of biomass type and pre-treatment method on pellet properties

Lignocellulosic biomass should not be used as energy feedstock only. The extractable phytochemicals present in lignocellulosic biomass from perennial industrial crops (PIC) can be used in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and chemical industries. A production residue, so-called “post-extraction biomass”, can be later used as energy feedstock. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the thermophysical and chemical properties of pellets produced from various types of post-extraction (after extraction with supercritical CO2 (SFE)) and non-extracted biomass (NE) obtained from five PIC species (willow, poplar, willowleaf sunflower and giant miscanthus). The highest lower heating value (17.40 MJ kg–1) was determined for willow Salix viminalis SFE pellets. The ash content was higher in pellets produced from green biomass willowleaf sunflower and giant miscanthus (mean 9.92% and 6.85% DM, respectively). Pellets from wood and a bark and wood mixture were included in one separate cluster. Another cluster was formed only for pellets from bark, with a separate cluster for pellets from green biomass. It was found with respect to the biomass pre-treatment that SFE pellet characteristic features included higher length, bulk density, mechanical durability, fixed carbon, cellulose, lignin, Cl contents (by 83%, 11%, 2%, 3.5%, 3.0%, 7.9%, 29.0% respectively) and lower moisture content, ash and volatile matter contents, higher heating value, lower heating value, C, H, N, S, soluble substance, hemicellulose contents compared with NE pellets.

Flux of Root-Derived Carbon into the Nematode Micro-Food Web: A Comparison of Grassland and Agroforest

Carbon (C) cycling is crucial to agroecosystem functioning. Important determinants for the belowground C flow are soil food webs, with microorganisms and microfaunal grazers, i.e., nematodes, as key biota. The present study investigates the incorporation of plant-derived C into the nematode micro-food web under two different cropping systems, grassland (ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and white clover (Trifolium repens L.)) and agroforest (willow (Salix schwerinii Wolf and Salix viminalis L)). To quantify the C flux from the plant into the soil micro-food web, grass and willow were pulse-labeled with 13CO2 and the incorporation of 13C into the nematode trophic groups was monitored 3, 7, 14 and 28 days after labeling. The natural stable isotope signals (13C/12C, 15N/14N) were analyzed to determine the structure of the nematode micro-food web. The natural isotopic δ15N signal revealed different trophic levels for omnivores and predators in grassland and agroforest soils. The incorporation of plant C into nematode tissue was detectable three days after 13CO2 labeling with the highest and fastest C allocation in plant feeders in grassland, and in fungal feeders in agroforest soil. C flux dynamics between the aboveground vegetation and belowground micro-food web varied with cropping system. This demonstrates that crop-specific translocation of C affects the multitrophic interactions in the root environment, which in turn can alter soil nutrient cycling.

Инфрадианные ритмы суточного прироста побегов в клонах Salix viminalis (Salicaceae)

The structure of seasonal dynamics of daily growth of shoots of basket willow (Salix viminalis) is described and analyzed. Object: model inbred-clone population of S. viminalis. Material: developing shoots on annual saplings from cuttings. Methods: comparative morphological, chronobiological, numerical analysis of time series. The formation of dimorphic root systems of one-year saplings from cuttings is described. It is established that the seasonal dynamics of daily increment of shoots is determined by the interaction of linear and nonlinear components. Linear components are approximated by regression equations, and nonlinear components are approximated by harmonic oscillation equations. The rhythmicity of seasonal dynamics of shoot growth is described. Four groups of biorhythms were identified: annual with a period of about 96 days, subannual with a period of 4064 days, and infradian with a period of 1924 days and infradian with a period of 1016 days. The alternation of peaks and dips in the seasonal dynamics of shoot increment is determined by infradian biorhythms with a period of 19...24 days. Infradian biorhythms with different periods are synchronized with each other. The probable reason is the existence of a pulse synchronizer of biorhythms. Interclonal differences in the seasonal dynamics of the daily growth of shoots were not revealed. The probable cause of intraclonal differences is the ontogenetic heterogeneity of vegetative buds, from which annual shoots have developed. To verify this hypothesis, we plan to observe the development of seedlings grown from cuttings harvested from different parts of the uterine shoots. The results obtained are recommended to be taken into account when planning agroforestry measures for crop of S. viminalis.

Biodiversity of Weeds and Arthropods in Five Different Perennial Industrial Crops in Eastern Poland

A growing interest in the cultivation of non-food crops on marginal lands has been observed in recent years in Poland. Marginal lands are a refuge of agroecosystems biodiversity. The impact of the cultivation of perennial industrial plants on the biodiversity of weeds and arthropods have been assessed in this study. The biodiversity monitoring study, carried out for three years, included five perennial crops: miscanthus Miscanthus × giganteus, cup plant Silphium perfoliatum, black locust Robinia pseudoacacia, poplar Populus × maximowiczii, and willow Salix viminalis. As a control area, uncultivated fallow land was chosen. The experiment was set up in eastern Poland. A decrease in plant diversity was found for miscanthus and black locust. The diversity of arthropods was the lowest for the cup plant. No decrease in the number of melliferous plants and pollinators was observed, except for the miscanthus. The biodiversity of plants and arthropods was affected by the intensity of mechanical treatments, the fertilization dose, and the use of herbicides. The biodiversity also decreased with the age of plantation.

Cultivation of energy crops by ecological methods under the conditions of global climate and environmental changes with the use of diatom extract as a natural source of chemical compounds

Modern agriculture must be subject to some adaptation processes due to unpredictable climate changes. One of the activities that enables the production of plant biomass in adverse climatic conditions is the development of ecological and innovative crop technologies using natural plant extracts. The elimination of synthetic fertilizers and their replacement with products based on organic matter will increase the plant’s resistance to negative conditions of environmental stress, will have a positive effect on the development and yielding of plants and will reduce cultivation costs. The plant material: willow (Salix viminalis), Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) and Virginia mallow (Sida hermaphrodita). The natural extract was obtained from Navicula sp. (Bacillariophyceae) monocultures, which was applied to plants in three variants: watering, spraying (foliar application) and watering and spraying. Every 2 weeks: plant height and chlorophyll content index were determined and at the end of the growing season, an analysis was made of: fresh and dry biomass, gas exchange activity in plants (net photosynthesis, transpiration, stomatal conductivity and intercellular CO2 concentration). The enzymatic activity of acid (pH = 6.0) and alkaline (pH = 7.5) phosphatase, RNase, dehydrogenases, as well as the integrity of cytoplasmic membranes was determined. The obtained results confirmed the positive effect of diatom monoculture extract on the growth and development of the plants. The analyzed physicochemical parameters were characterized by 15–20% higher values in comparison with the control. The use of natural extracts from Navicula sp. can be an alternative to chemical fertilizers and is considered one of the promising strategies in organic agriculture.

A potential of non-energy use of agricultural residues and energy plants in lignocellulosic composites production. A brief report

There is a systematic increase in the use of wood waste as raw material in particleboard production, but in the face of an upward trend in particleboard demand, these activities are insufficient. Therefore, there arises the necessity of using materials whose resources are renewable easier (faster) than forest resources, or materials which are considered waste. Such materials could be: “energetic” willow (Salix Viminalis L.) and rape straw. In the case of willow, its production potential quite often cannot be fully utilized in an “energy production” way, due to consumers’ requirements and capabilities. In the case of rape straw, which is regarded as waste material (in more optimistic scenarios – as a side product) in agricultural production, it is known, that the amount of this material will increase, because of the EU regulations, concerning biofuels. Today only 2–3% of rape straw is industrially utilized. The results of research show that appropriate preparation of the mentioned alternative raw material and adjustment of technological parameters give a possibility to produce particleboards of parameters equal to, or even higher than, those of typical, commercially available boards. The research confirmed the possibility of replacing industrial wood shavings with rapeseed straw particles even in 50% without significantly worsening the properties of the manufactured boards. The strength and thermal insulation parameters of boards with reduced density, made of Salix Viminalis L. willow particles, are also promising.

Heterologous Expression of SvMBD5 from Salix viminalis L. Promotes Flowering in Arabidopsis thaliana L.

Methyl-CpG-binding domain (MBD) proteins have diverse molecular and biological functions in plants. Most studies of MBD proteins in plants have focused on the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana L. Here we cloned SvMBD5 from the willow Salix viminalis L. by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and analyzed the structure of SvMBD5 and its evolutionary relationships with proteins in other species. The coding sequence of SvMBD5 is 645 bp long, encoding a 214 amino acid protein with a methyl-CpG-binding domain. SvMBD5 belongs to the same subfamily as AtMBD5 and AtMBD6 from Arabidopsis. Subcellular localization analysis showed that SvMBD5 is only expressed in the nucleus. We transformed Arabidopsis plants with a 35S::SvMBD5 expression construct to examine SvMBD5 function. The Arabidopsis SvMBD5-expressing line flowered earlier than the wild type. In the transgenic plants, the expression of FLOWERING LOCUS T and CONSTANS significantly increased, while the expression of FLOWERING LOCUS C greatly decreased. In addition, heterologously expressing SvMBD5 in Arabidopsis significantly inhibited the establishment and maintenance of methylation of CHROMOMETHYLASE 3 and METHYLTRANSFERASE 1, as well as their expression, and significantly increased the expression of the demethylation-related genes REPRESSOR OF SILENCING1 and DEMETER-LIKE PROTEIN3. Our findings suggest that SvMBD5 participates in the flowering process by regulating the methylation levels of flowering genes, laying the foundation for further studying the role of SvMBD5 in regulating DNA demethylation.

Changes in the Regulating Ecosystem Service on the Contaminated Site Used for Energy Purposes

Soil cleaning, the ability of the soil to immobilize the risk elements, belongs to important agroecosystem services in terms of protection of the hydrosphere and plant production from contamination. Dynamic monitoring of selected indicators of soil quality was realized in a special network of site on soil used for planting fast growing willow (Salix viminalis). Monitoring of the study site Kuchyňa (Mollic Fluvisol) is running since 2010 year. The fast-growing willow was planted on an area of about 43 hectares. Study site Kuchyňa belonged to the degraded contaminated sites, at the time of planting (the total contents of the risk elements were as follows: Cd 1.016 mg∙kg−1, Zn 199.000 mg∙kg−1, Ni 51.500 mg∙kg−1) There were positive changes in the total content of cadmium, zinc and nickel (in 2018 year), the zinc content decreased by 27% compared to 2010, the nickel content was lower by 23% and the Cd content by 57% in comparison to 2010 year, these elements have a declining trend during the monitored period. The remediation ability of the willow in relation to the risk elements was manifested by the accumulation of these elements in the wood mass and by their decrease in the soil below the limit value. The regulatory ecosystem service, the potential for the immobilisation of the risk elements, was evaluated based on the sum of the assessment of the contamination potential and the sorption potential of soil. The decrease of the total content of risk elements in the soil below the limit value was manifested in the increase of the potential of the agroecosystem regulatory service, the potential of risk element immobilisation, from very low category to medium category. If willow cultivation continued in the next decade, the value of risk element Zn would most likely reach the value 73 mg∙kg−1, which is less than 50% of the limit value, based on the results of the predictive model. In the case of Cd, the soil would be completely cleaned and in the case of Ni, its total content in the soil would fall to 23 mg∙kg−1, which is less than 40% of the limit value. The overall potential for contamination would fall into the category—very low (forecast for 2021 year). The higher potential of immobilisation reduces the risk of contaminants transport and thus prevents contamination of the other ecosystem components such as biota.

Effectiveness of 2-Hydroxybenzoic Acid in Physiologic Response of Basket Willow (Salix viminalis L.) on Stress Induced by Cadmium

The aim of the study was an evaluation of the effect of exogenous application of 2-hydroxybenzoic acid on the performance of photosynthetic apparatus of two basket willow (Salix viminalis L.) varieties growing in elevated concentrations of cadmium salts and an evaluation of the suitability of fluorescence method to characterize the physiological state of the examined willow genotypes under stress conditions caused by an increased content of cadmium ions. The influence of cadmium ions at a concentration of 50 mg/dm3 and salicylic acid at a concentration of 138 mg/dm3 on the physiological reaction of basket willow of Bjor and Tora varieties cultivated in hydroponics was investigated. The applied dose of salicylic acid effectively eliminated the influence of cadmium, activating the synthesis of chlorophyll a and b and carotenoids as well as increasing the intensity of the determined fluorescence processes and indicators. The use of the fluorescent method to characterize the physiological state of the examined willow genotypes under the conditions of stress caused by an increased content of cadmium ions allows a better understanding of the immune system’s response to these metal ions.

Economical and ecological effects of cultivation of basket willow Salix viminalis L.

The aim of the investigations was the assessment of the size of harvest of five energetic basket willow clones at a plantation of the Forest Inspectorate Krzeszowice, the Forest Inspectorate Brodla branch, in the Malopolska voivodeship. The paper presents the effect of yielding of the willow Salix viminalis L., which is characterized by intense weight gain. An economic analysis was conducted for the plantation, the environmental effect was calculated and the social outcome was determined. An environmental impact analysis (EIA) showed, that the biomass combustion process emits far fewer pollutants than coal: 8 times less carbon oxide and 6 times less sulfur dioxide. The environmental effect is significant due to the reduction of pollutant emissions. The willow Salix viminalis L. is a plant, which easily adapts to vegetation on any soil. The plant growing does not require any special agrotechnical treatment. By the establishment and maintenance of willow plantations can contribute to rural development, increase income and reduce unemployment in the country. Farmers are willing to assume willow plantations, if you will guarantee the sale at attractive prices. Europe is looking for alternatives to conventional energy sources, combustion of which releases a greenhouse gas - carbon dioxide.

LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT OF HEAT PRODUCTION FROM WILLOW CHIPS OF SALIX VIMINALIS L. IN UKRAINE

The results of the life cycle assessment of heat production from willow chips of Salix Viminalis L. are presented. Energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions reduction are estimated. The influence of the most significant parameters is analyzed and optimal relationships are determined to ensure maximum energy efficiency and environmental sustainability.
 The purpose of the paper is to define the energy efficiency and environmental sustainability of bioenergy value chain for heat production from willow chips of Salix Viminalis in Ukraine. The methodology of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was used, according to which, the scope of the product system includes the feedstock cycle of willow Salix Viminalis L. cultivation and harvest, and the subsystem of willow chips conversion to heat in a 500 kW biomass boiler. Cumulative energy demand and energy yield coefficient were chosen as energy efficiency indicators. The product system was compared with the similar one using natural gas. Non- renewable energy yield coefficient was used to define how many times the energy output was bigger than input of non- renewable energy. An acceptable value for renewable energy installations and systems is to receive twice as much energy output as was spent of non-renewable energy, however the recommended value assumed in the work is to receive a 5 times more energy output compared to non-renewable energy input. As an environmental sustainability indicator, a reduction of GHG emissions was used. The acceptable level of GHG emissions reduction was chosen at a level of 60% for the whole life cycle from cultivation-to-heat, compared to traditional heat production in gas boilers. Results of the assessment identified that the most significant parameter affecting energy efficiency and environmental sustainability is transportation distance. The growing of willow Salix Viminalis L. in Ukraine for the subsequent production of biofuel in the form of chips and its combustion in biofuel boilers is environmentally sustainable with a maximum transportation distance of 390 km and energy efficient with a maximum transportation distance of 180 km.

Successive impact of the nitrogen fertilization of basket willow (Salix viminalis L.) on the canopy architecture in 9th and 10th year of regrowth of shoots

The purpose of the present paper was an assessment of the successive impact of fertilization with nitrogen on the regrowth dynamics of the shoots of 10 genotypes (three clones and seven varieties) of basket willow (Salix viminalis L.) in the 9th and 10th year of cultivation. In 2008- 2015, mineral nitrogen fertilization was applied in the whole experiment in four doses. The measurements of height and thickness of willow shoots, of the quantity of live and dead shoots in the snag and live and dead snags on the plot were performed in the experiment realized in 2016-2017. Biometric measurements showed that increased mineral nitrogen fertilization in the year of its application intensified shoots growth in height and thickness, yet in the successive impact, in the 9th and 10th year of willow vegetation weakening of shoot regrowth in height and thickness is observed, and the number of live shoots in the snag and live snags on the plot have reduced. In particular, negative successive impact of the nitrogen fertilization on the willow canopy architecture was demonstrated on the objects that were mowed twice in the first 4-year rotation and on the varieties that do not tolerate this treatment.

Impact of the energy willow planting density on the canopy architecture in 9th and 10th year of cultivation

The purpose of the present paper was an assessment of the dynamics of the regrowth of the shoots of 10 genotypes of basket willow (Salix viminalis L.) in the 9th and 10th year of cultivation on light soil in the Middle Pomerania (16°24’N and 54°8’E) with a diversified planting density of cuttings (15.020, 22.134 and 33.200 pcs. ha-1). The field experiment was established in 2007 with 3 planting densities of willow cuttings, and 10 willow genotypes. In 2016–2017, the regrowth dynamics of willow shoots was assessed separately in the first and second row of the plot. The willow genotype, the planting density of cuttings during the establishment of the plantation, the number of the years of shoot regrowth and variants of shoots mowing had an impact on the willow canopy architecture in the 9th and 10th year. The reaction of genotypes with the individual parameters of the canopy architecture was not identical.

BOILER HOUSE BASED ON IMPROVED FURNACE OF HIGH EFFICIENCY

Forecasting the further development of the economics and power engineering on the basis of modern effective technologies we can conclude that it is possible to replace nuclear and fossil fuels with renewable energy sources. The results of calculation of the amount of wood that is needed for the boilers with different efficiency are presented in the paper. We found that the main advantage of a solid fuel boiler over a gas boiler is the low cost of non-traditional types of fuel (wood and its wastes) compared to natural gas. It is necessary to take into account physical-mechanical and heat-engineering characteristics of fuel in order to increase the energy efficiency of biomass combustion and to reduce the level of pollutants. We analyzed the wood breeds which are widely used as fuel in the solid fuel boilers particularly pine, birch, aspen, alder, fast growing willow (Salix Viminalis). The mathematical modelling of combustion process of various wood breeds was carried out. The modelling results and the experimental values of the kinetic parameters of individual wood breeds are the basis for the investigation of the process of burning both pure breeds and their mixtures. The design of chamber furnace for burning of chopped wood biomass is developed by the authors in order to ensure the efficient and complete combustion. It has two protrusions to create a whirl in the main combustion chamber and the additional burner in the post-combustion chamber which creates an additional whirl of the wood mixture. The proposed furnace allows to increase the time of staying of fuel particles in the combustion volume. The applying of the improved furnace design as well as the modular construction principle make it possible to build an efficient boiler-house based on combustion of chopped wood biomass.

Regrowth of willow shoots in the second 4-year rotation at various fertilization with nitrogen

The aim of the experiment was to assess the dynamics of regrowth of shoots of 10 genotypes of basket willow (Salix viminalis L.) in the second 4-year rotation, cultivated on sandy soil in the Middle Pomerania (16°24’N and 54°08’E) under various fertilization with nitrogen (0, 60, 120 and 180 kg N·ha−1 ) and under rainfall-retention water system. The field experiment was established in 2007 using method of randomized sub-blocks in a subsidiary system with four replications, where on large plots four doses of nitrogen were drawn, and within doses – 10 genotypes of willow. In 2012-2015 the dynamics of regrowth of willow shoots in four separate dates for the first and second row of plot separately were evaluated. During first rotation (2008-2011) in the first row of plot shoots were mowed 2-times (after third and first year of regrowth), and the second row – once (after fourth year of regrowth). During the second 4-year rotation of the biggest variability in relation to the height and thickness of willow shoots and the number of live and dead shoots in snag was noted between years of shoots regrowth and for the amount of live and dead snags on the plot – between the frequencies of mowing.

Analysis of Impact Of Biomass Added to RDF Oversize Fraction on Properties of Briquettes

AbstractThe impact of biomass addition to the RDF oversize fraction on quality parameters obtained from this blend of briquettes produced under semi-industrial conditions was analysed. For the purposes related to the experiment four RDF mixtures with fragmented biomass of common willow Salix viminalis L., differing only with percentage participation of base elements, were prepared. The briquetting process was performed with the use of a semi-industrial briquetting machine at the determined compaction pressure of 47 MPa and a diameter of a sleeve (and a briquette at the same time) of 50 mm. Selected quality parameters of produced briquettes were determined, i.e. density, mechanical strength DU and compression strength. The best parameters were obtained for briquettes produced from the blend with a 50% share of willow (ρ=843.9 kg · m-3, DU=86.1%, Rc=0.46 MPa). The lowest parameters were in case of briquettes without biomass addition. Statistical analysis of research results indicates that biomass additions to RDF significantly affect the improvement of quality parameters of the obtained briquettes.

Sewage Sludge Application Effects to First Year Willows (Salix Viminalis L.) Growth and Heavy Metal Bioaccumulation

The effects of sewage sludge application on first year willows (Salix viminalis L.) and the accumulation of heavy metals in plants were investigated. Plants were exposed to 1–15 kg m−2 of sewage sludge under field conditions. Willows were grown in the field for 6 months. Sewage sludge application enhanced willows growth. Stem height of willows grown in soil treated with sludge were by 15–31 % higher than those grown in control plots. The biomass of stems and roots were by 26–61 % and 36–62 %, respectively, higher than that of control plants. Sludge application resulted in increased heavy metals concentrations in soil and willows. Metals concentrations were plants tissue and sludge application rate dependent. The highest bioconcentration factor was detected for Cd. Due to uptake of heavy metals by willows, the concentrations of Cu, Zn, Cd in soil (at 20 and 40 cm depth) were significantly reduced after the growing season.

Novel method to determine element concentrations in foliage of poplar and willow cuttings

ABSTRACTMeasuring the uptake of the chemical elements by plants usually requires the destructive harvest of the plants. Analyzing individual leaves is unsatisfactory because their elemental concentration depends on their age and position on the branch or stem. We aimed to find an easy method to determine the elemental concentrations using a few suitable single leaves along the main shoot of poplar (Populus monviso) and willow (Salix viminalis) cuttings at the end of the first season. Using Ca, Cd, Mn, Fe, K, P, Pb, and Zn concentrations, measured in selected leaves along the main shoots of the cuttings, mathematical functions were derived, which described best their distribution. Elemental allocation patterns were independent of the soil characteristics and soil element concentrations. Based on these functions, three leaves from specific positions along the main shoot were selected, which could accurately describe the derived functions. The deviation of the calculated average concentration, based on the 3-leaves method, was ≤15% in approximately 65% of the cases compared to the measured concentration. This method could be used to calculate element concentrations and fluxes in phytomanagement, biomonitoring, or biomass productions projects using one-season poplar or willow cuttings.

Experimental research of sewage sludge with coal and biomass co-combustion, in pellet form

Increased sewage sludge production and disposal, as well as the properties of sewage sludge, are currently affecting the environment, which has resulted in legislation changes in Poland. Based on the Economy Minister Regulation of 16 July 2015 (Regulation of the Economy Minister, 2015) regarding the criteria and procedures for releasing wastes for landfilling, the thermal disposal of sewage sludge is important due to its gross calorific value, which is greater than 6MJ/kg, and the problems that result from its use and application. Consequently, increasingly restrictive legislation that began on 1 January 2016 was introduced for sewage sludge storage in Poland.Sewage sludge thermal utilisation is an attractive option because it minimizes odours, significantly reduces the volume of starting material and thermally destroys the organic and toxic components of the off pads. Additionally, it is possible that the ash produced could be used in different ways. Currently, as many as 11 plants use sewage sludge as fuel in Poland; thus, this technology must be further developed in Poland while considering the benefits of co-combustion with other fuels.This paper presents the results of experimental studies of the mechanisms and kinetics of sewage sludge, coal and biomass combustion and their co-combustion in spherical-pellet form. Compared with biomass, a higher temperature is required to ignite sewage sludge by flame. The properties of biomass and sewage sludge result in the intensification of the combustion process (by fast ignition of volatile matter). In contrast to coal, a combustion of sewage sludge is determined not only burning the char, but also the combustion of volatiles. The addition of sewage sludge to hard coal and lignite shortens combustion times compared with coal, and the addition of sewage sludge to willow Salix viminalis produces an increase in combustion time compared with willow alone.

Response of Organ Structure and Physiology to Autotetraploidization in Early Development of Energy Willow Salix viminalis.

The biomass productivity of the energy willow Salix viminalis as a short-rotation woody crop depends on organ structure and functions that are under the control of genome size. Colchicine treatment of axillary buds resulted in a set of autotetraploid S. viminalis var. Energo genotypes (polyploid Energo [PP-E]; 2n = 4x = 76) with variation in the green pixel-based shoot surface area. In cases where increased shoot biomass was observed, it was primarily derived from larger leaf size and wider stem diameter. Autotetraploidy slowed primary growth and increased shoot diameter (a parameter of secondary growth). The duplicated genome size enlarged bark and wood layers in twigs sampled in the field. The PP-E plants developed wider leaves with thicker midrib and enlarged palisade parenchyma cells. Autotetraploid leaves contained significantly increased amounts of active gibberellins, cytokinins, salicylic acid, and jasmonate compared with diploid individuals. Greater net photosynthetic CO2 uptake was detected in leaves of PP-E plants with increased chlorophyll and carotenoid contents. Improved photosynthetic functions in tetraploids were also shown by more efficient electron transport rates of photosystems I and II. Autotetraploidization increased the biomass of the root system of PP-E plants relative to diploids. Sections of tetraploid roots showed thickening with enlarged cortex cells. Elevated amounts of indole acetic acid, active cytokinins, active gibberellin, and salicylic acid were detected in the root tips of these plants. The presented variation in traits of tetraploid willow genotypes provides a basis to use autopolyploidization as a chromosome engineering technique to alter the organ development of energy plants in order to improve biomass productivity.