Aboveground biomass estimation for Italian poplar SRF

One critical aspect for operators of the wood energy market is the quantification of above ground biomass production in establishing contracts before harvest. The preparation of a biomass regression equation for individual SRF yield is expensive and time-consuming for most operators. The aim of this study is to develop equations for a non-destructive estimation of biomass yields easy to use. The data collected were utilized to develop exponential functions in the form W = bDC (where W is the total shoot wet or dry weight and D is the diameter at breast height) that give a reasonable estimate of above ground biomass for individual shoots. Keywords: biomass production, energy crops, poplar.