Bulletin of Botanical Gardens, 13: 151–153, 2004

THE NATURAL AND TECHNICAL RESOURCES OF BOTANICAL GARDEN OF PBAI IN BYDGOSZCZ AS A BASIS FOR EDUCATION

W∏odzimierz MAJTKOWSKI, Gabriela MAJTKOWSKA

Botanical Garden of Breeding & Acclimatization Institute, Jeêdziecka St. 5, 85-687 Bydgoszcz, Poland, e-mail: [email protected]

INTRODUCTION COLLECTION OF FOR ENERGETIC PURPOSES Plant collections in The Botanical Garden of Plant Breeding and Acclimatization Institute I. Woody plants of short field rotation (PBAI) in Bydgoszcz are closely connected with scientific activity, co-ordinated by The The above term refers to the hard wood plan- National Centre for Plant Genetic Resources of tation, fast growing at the initial phases of plant PBAI in Radzików near Warszawa. Since 1971 development, capable of reproduction by the main scientific activity has concentrated on seedlings or cuttings (i.e. willow Salix sp., the collection, evaluation and preservation of poplar Populus sp. and eucalyptus Eucalyptus grass genetic resources. It is framed in sp. – mainly in Mediterranean countries). ECP/GR (European Cooperative Programme Willow (Salix sp.) – materials in collection for Crop Genetic Resources Networks) co- originated from: ordinated by IPGRI (International Plant – University in Olsztyn – 21 clones (of ener- Genetic Resources Institute) in Rome. Since getic, wicker and medicinal purposes), 1994 genetic resources activities have been – Agrobränsle (Svalöv, Sweden) – 7 energetic spread over species for energetic purposes. The varieties ((GUDRUN, KARIN, OLOF, above collection consists of popular plant SVEN, TORA, TORDIS, TORHILD). species, usually cultivated for combustion pur- New clones of basket willow (Salix vimi- poses: Salix sp. (willow), Sida hermaphrodita, nalis L.) and its crosses from Olsztyn giganteus and other species of University, evaluated in experiments conducted potential suitability for cultivation on large on semi-hydrogenic soils, yielded 15 tons of areas, i.e. Silphium perfoliatum, Helianthus dry matter /ha/year (Stolarski 2003). The ener- tuberosus, Reynoutria japonica, perennial getic value of basket willow wood was affected grasses as: gerardi (big blustem), by the production regime of plantation (Tab. 1). (switch grass), Spartina pectinata (praire cord grass). At the end of II. Perennial dicotyledonous plants 2003 Botanical Garden of PBAI was granted from National Fund for Environmental Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus Protection and Water Management to establish L.) – originating from North energy plant for (wooden chips) com- America, from Asteraceae family. Stems reach bustion. Despite the obvious advantages of 3 cm in diameter and grow to 2–4 m. ecological (reduction of sulphur emission) and Underground stolons have bulbs on the ends economic nature, on the basis of new energy like . The advantages of artichoke are: plant it will be possible to measure quality high yields (stems – 10–20 t of d.m./ha/year and parameters of biomass from different plant bulbs – up to 40 t/ha/year), low habitat require- species. Owing to that new possibilities will ments (Góral 1999). The energetic raw materi- emerge such as, for example, the project of als are: bulbs, for production of or bio- didactic route explaining the way from plant gas, and stems, for direct combustion or pro- (collection of energetic species) to final energy duction of pellets and briquettes. The calorific production. value of artichoke biomass with 20% of mois-

151 W∏odzimierz Majtkowski, Gabriela Majtkowska

Table 1. Yield and principal parameters of wood from willow plantation

Trait The frequency of stem cutting every year once 2 years once 3 years Fresh wood yield (t/ha) 28,2 65,0 140,0 Wood moisture (%) 52,86 49,62 46,05 Dry matter yield (t/ha) 14,9 32,2 64,8 Total dry wood yield (t/ha/year) 14,9 16,1 21,6 Calorific value of d.m. (MJ/kg) 18,55 19,25 19,56 Yield energetic value (GJ/ha) 276,4 619,8 1267,5 Ash (%) 1,89 1,37 1,28

ture content equals 15 MJ/kg. Other ways the both species are perennials from Polygonaceae artichoke could be used are recultivation of family originating from East Asia. They were post-industrial areas and protection of arable introduced to Europe in the first half of 19th fields against wild animals. century as decorative plants. They are planted Virginia-mallow (Sida hermaphrodita Rusby) for stabilisation of dunes and slopes (for – perennial species from Malvaceae family, instance in the Silesian region) and also as pas- orginating from south regions of North ture plants for wild animals (in Czech America. Previous research proved a possibili- Republic). They easily run wild due to long ty of virginia-mallow utilisation as pasture, stolons (up to 5–6 m) or seeds and grow in medicinal, fibre or honey plant as well as for dense clusters, hard to out. In climatic paper pulp production (Borkowska et al. 1994). conditions of Poland they begin to vegetate During the last years this species has become rather late – late April/early May. They grow interesting as energetic plant. It is quite suit- very fast and reach 2–4 m of height. They fin- able for perennial energetic plantations (up to ish vegetation with the first autumn frost 20 years of usage) for it produces strong tus- (Majtkowski et al. 1996). Considering high socks with stems up to 3 m. Harvest takes place growth dynamics and low environmental when vegetation season is over and natural requirements this species should be paid more stems have dried down. Total aboveground attention to geneticists and breeders. biomass yield (20–25% m.c.) could be 20–25 t/ha. The calorific value – 15 MJ/kg. III. Perennial C-4 grass species The advantages of mallow are: suitability for cultivation on hydrogenic, alluvial and deluvial Intensive production of biomass is typical soils and easy propagation by seed or for C4 grass species. Such metabolism could be fragmentation. easily found in grass species from Asia (China, Cupplant (Silphium perfoliatum L.) – perenni- Japan) and North America. Differences in al species from Asteraceae family, originating anatomical structure of assimilation organs are from central regions of North America. It is the effect of adaptation to effective CO2 fixa- accepted as a valuable honey, medicinal, pas- tion in xerophytic conditions (reduced mois- ture (high protein and carbohydrates content) ture, high temperature and insolation). What and decorative plant. Due to its low nutrient should be strongly emphasised is several times requirements it is recommended as a pioneer less ash content after C4 grass (Andropogon species for recultivation of waste areas gerardi Vitm., Miscanthus sinensis Anderss., (Weryszko-Chmielewska et al. 1999). Stems of Panicum virgatum L., Spartina pectinata cupplant reach 2.5 m. Energetic plantation Bosc. ex Link) combustion as compared should be developed during autumn (X-XI) by to corn straw or other perennial C3 grasses: seed sowing in rows of 1 m distance. After 3–4 Phalaris arundinacea L., Phragmites australis years yields could reach ca. 19 t of d.m./ha. (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud. Straw from C4 grasses is Japanese and giant knotweed (Reynoutria therefore of the same quality as biomass from japonica Houtt. and R. sachalinensis Nakai), wood plantation (Tab. 2).

152 The natural and technical resources of Botanical Garden of PBAI in Bydgoszcz

Table 2. Comparision of ash content after C4 and C3 boilers (2 x 200 kW), produced by HDG grass straw combustion Bavaria (Germany) and one hand loaded bio- mass-fired boiler (50 kW) which was equipped Species Photosynthesis Ash content to measure calorific values of plants from col- type [% d.m.] lections. Mentioned modernisation was co-

Spartina pectinata C4 1,6 financed by PBAI and National Fund for Panicum virgatum C4 1,7 Environmental Protection and Water Andropogon gerardi C4 1,7 Management in Warsaw. Boiler house will act Miscanthus sinensis C4 2,0 as education place, to explain the complete way

Phalaris arundinacea C3 6,3 from plant collection to its energetic applica- Phragmites communis C3 7,5 tion. Triticum C3 11,1 REFERENCES

Borkowska H., Milczak M., Styk B. 1994. Giant Chinese silver grass (Miscanthus x ZmiennoÊç, odziedziczalnoÊç i wspó∏zale˝noÊç giganteus Greef et Deuter), is a large bunch fenotypowa niektórych cech sidy (Sida herma- grass, penetrating soil down to 2.5 m with phrodita Rusby). Biul. IHAR 189: 101-107. strong . It produces thick, 200–350 cm Góral S. 1999. S∏onecznik bulwiasty – topinam- long, stiff stems, filled with porous pith. The bur. Uprawa i u˝ytkowanie. IHAR. Radzików, average yield from several-year-old plantation ss. 21. is above 20 t of biomass per ha (20% moisture). Stolarski M. 2003. Wszystko o wierzbie. Czysta The calorific value of such material ranges Energia 10: 32-33. from 14 to 17 MJ/kg. In Polish climatic condi- Majtkowski W., Podyma W., Góral S. 1996. Ga- tions there are some critical moments concern- tunki roÊlin do rekultywacji terenów zdegrado- ing young seedlings, i.e. low temperature sus- wanych przez przemys∏ i gospodark´ komunal- ceptibility in the first year of cultivation. nà. W: Nowe roÊliny uprawne na cele spo˝yw- Therefore it is recommended to protect new cze, przemys∏owe i jako odnawialne êród∏a plantations against frost (i.e. by mulching). Due energii. Wyd. SGGW. Warszawa: 136-148. to high cellulose and lignin content miscant Samson R., Duxbury P., Mulkins L. 2000. biomass is valuable raw material (mainly in Research and development of fibre crops in Germany) in building staff production (i.e. iso- cool season regions of Canada. Proc. of the lation, light boards and floors, asbestos substi- final conference COST Action 814 “Crop tute), cellulose and paper industry (packages, development for the cool and wet regions of technical paper, cardboard etc.) and agriculture Europe”, Pordenone, Italy, 10-13.05.2000: (recyclable pots or pallets). 555-565. Szczukowski S., Tworkowski J., Stolarski M. WOOD CHIPS-FIRED BOILER HOUSE 2003. Charakterystyka biomasy wierzby krze- (POWER – 450 KW) – EXPERIMENTAL wiastej jako surowca do produkcji metanolu. W: AND EDUCATIONAL INSTALLATION Ciechanowicz W., Szczukowski S. (red.) Ogni- wa paliwowe i biomasa lignocelulozowa szansà The modernisation of 27 years old coke- rozwoju wsi i miast. Warszawa: 143-149. fired boiler house in The Botanical Garden of Weryszko-Chmielewska E., Kowalski R., Wol- Plant Breeding and Acclimatization Institute in ski T. 1999. Ro˝nik przeroÊni´ty (Silphium Bydgoszcz was finished in July of 2004. Two perfoliatum L.) nowa roÊlina alternatywna cz. I. boilers (type ECA IV) produced in 1977 were Badania morfologiczne i anatomiczne. Zesz. replaced by two automatic wood-chips fired Probl. Post. Nauk Roln. 468: 497-505.

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