A COMPARATIVE ANALYZE OF WILLOW SHORT ROTATION COPPICE BIOMASS IN DIFFERENT SITES FROM THE WEST OF ROMANIA

Abstract

Willows are trees and shrubs species important for their wood and wood products but also for their role in environmental protection. In the context of energy crises, woody biomass for short rotation coppice could be one of important energy resource. Willows hybrids RO-892, RO-1077 and RO–1082 developed by National Institute for Research and Development in Forestrywere used to establish short rotation coppice on different sites, even marginal areas like saline soil or ash pods. Biometric characteristics, diameter at 1.0 m, and the maximum height of each shoot, and also the number of shoots per stool were evaluated and the biomass potential was estimated. The research highlighted the capacity of willow to grow on difficult site conditions like saline soil or ash pods. The yield production was significantly lower than on agricultural land but the