Paper details

Title:

Quality of Biomass from Different SRC Species

Author(s):

Nati, C., Picchi, G., Spinelli, R.

Document(s):

Abstract:

Italian SRC sector is dominated by poplar clones, whose introduction was facilitated by a number of factors such as the optimal adaptation to soil and climate conditions of Northern Italy, the availability of dedicated nurseries able to promptly provide massive amounts of cuttings, and the confidence of farmers with poplar thanks to the traditional use for timber fast growing plantation on agricultural land. These conditions proved to be very positive for the introduction of SRC in Italian farmland, which was accomplished in a very short time (2000­2005). Nevertheless at present it is clear the need to diversify the plantations by introducing different fast growing tree species in order to valorize a greater variety of sites (particularly extending the plantations to drier areas), to limit disease propagation and to enhance biomass quality. This last point is crucial, because the main backwards of poplar SRC biomass harvested with modified maize foragers are the very high moisture content and the excessively fine granulometry. The present study explores the potential benefits in terms of yield and biomass quality of willow and black locust species compared to poplar.

Keywords:

mechanization, short rotation forestry (SRF), wood chips

Topic:

Biomass Resources

Subtopic:

Energy crops (session 5)

Event:

19th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition

Session:

VP1.3.36

Pages:

674 - 675

ISBN-13:

978-88-89407-55-4

ISBN-10:

88-89407-55-7

Paper DOI:

10.5071/19thEUBCE2011-VP1.3.36

Price:

FREE