Effects of Shoot Size and Genotype on Energy Properties of Poplar Biomass in Short Rotation Crops

Abstract

Eight poplar genotypes grown in a short rotation forest plantation established in an acid soil in South Europe were sampled at the age of 7 years to determine the energy properties regarding thermochemical conversion. The goal was to address the effect of selection of genotypes or shoot size at harvest on the energy quality of biomass. Between 34 and 50 biomass samples were obtained for each genotype: three disks were systematically sampled along the stem and were pooled together with a subsample of leafless branches representative of the biomass share of this component. Several energy properties were determined: higher calorific value, net calorific value, fresh moisture content, basic density, ash, volatile matter, fixed carbon content and elemental composition. Genotype had a significant effect on most of these properties, and the balsam genotypes displayed superior quality parameters and also higher biomass yield than the Euramerican genotypes. As a covariate, shoot basal diameter had a significant effect on the moisture content, basic density, ash content and on the concentrations of the elements N, K, Ca, Mg, S, Na and C. It was concluded that genotypes with low nutrient requirements planted at low density (<8000 cuttings ha−1) and harvested at a long enough rotation (7 years) produce good yields and high chip quality. Poplar short rotation crops can be grown to produce chips of A2 quality for non-industrial heating use (according to UNE-EN ISO 17225-4), able to be combusted in domestic thermal facilities of <1 MWth power.