ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Dendromass Derived from Agricultural Land
as Energy Feedstock
Mariusz J. Stolarski1, Michał Krzyżaniak1, Stefan Szczukowski1, Józef Tworkowski1,
Arkadiusz Bieniek2
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1Department of Plant Breeding and Seed Production,
2Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection,
Faculty of Environmental Management and Agriculture,
University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-724 Olsztyn, Poland
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2013;22(2):511-520
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
In order to ensure consistent supplies of agriculture-derived lignocellulosic biomass for the emerging
biomass market, dedicated plantations of short rotation woody crops (SRWC) need to be developed. Our
research aimed at defining the yield, survivability, and morphological features of three plant species (SRWC)
cultivated under the conditions of northeastern Poland, on poor soil unsuitable for food or fodder crops. The
first factor for the experiment was provided by three plant species: willow (Salix viminalis L. UWM 006),
poplar (Populus nigra × P. Maximowiczii Henry cv. Max-5), and black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.). The
second factor consisted of seven soil enrichment regimes, referred to as “fertilization,” and a control. Willow
grew significantly the highest. Poplar grew to a similar height and the diameter of its shoots was significantly
the biggest. The yield varied significantly depending on plant species and soil enrichment regime. During
a two-year rotation cycle of the crops, poplar and willow produced notably higher yields than black locust,
despite growing on poor soil. The soil enrichment regimes, in turn, significantly improved the crop yields.