BioMatNet Item: AIR2-CT92-1753 - Poplars for Farmers

AIR2-CT92-1753
Poplars for Farmers

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AIR Cluster IX - Forestry : Crops for Solid Biofuels : Solid Biofuels : Wood (Lignocellulose)

	Contract No	AIR2-CT92-1753
	Total Cost	1 545 215
	EC Contribution	875 027
	Start Date	01/10/1994
	Duration	36 months

OBJECTIVE:

Council regulation (EEC) no. 2080/92 aims to increase tree planting significantly. Directing this planting towards better quality land will reduce agricultural surpluses more effectively. Poplar is a major fast growing genus which can use good agricultural soils in many Community countries. Advances in breeding new poplar clones have improved disease resistance, significantly shortened rotations and improved timber quality for many end uses. Widespread planting of poplars on agricultural land should result from farmers' ability to envisage several timber harvests within the family farm lifecycle, and to enter profitable growth markets for nonfood products.

This project examines the major potential for poplar in farm forestry throughout the Community. The project comprises the following:

1. Coordination of data assembly, analysis and reporting.
2. Assessment of physical productivity and financial profitability of current agricultural crops on sites suitable for poplar, and likely to be released from agriculture.
3. Monitoring existing trials and plantations encompassing the clones Beaupre, Ghoy, Fritzii Pauley, Dorskamp, Gaver and Luisa Avanso.

Appropriate older clones will be used as a control to determine increases in productivity. Data will be used as a control to determine increases in productivity. Data will be used in growth models for new clones on the most likely site types for planting by farmers.

4. Derivation of simple indicators of site factors influencing poplar productivity of drainage, fertilisation and planting configurations.
5. Development of spreadsheet models integrating biological and economic information, to determine the most financially attractive management systems for farmers, under a range of biological, edaphic and market conditions.

The project comprises a consortium of 7 participants drawn respectively from Great Britain (01, 02) Ireland (03), Italy (04), Spain (05), France (06) and Belgium (07). Membership encompasses a comprehensive range of site conditions within Europe and includes countries having existing and relevant clonal trials, spacings and acknowledged expertise.

Contacts

Coordinator

Terry H THOMAS / The BEAM Project, University of Wales (Bangor) School of Agricultural & Forest Sciences / UNITED KINGDOM

Participant