Reproductive potential of energy willows in Southern Slovakia

The following findings were obtained concerning the energy willow hybrids tested:
• Taking of cuttings is significantly affected by the timing of planting, the vitality and quality of cuttings, presence of various pests and pathogens, as well as ambient climatic conditions.
• Growth dynamics is highly balanced with respect to individual hybrids, while there is a statistically detectable difference in growth intensity between different hybrids.
• Shoot thickness is an indicator of quality and quantity for each hybrid. Measurement results varied greatly, the greatest differences were measured for Inger and Gudrun.
• Variance in production indicators (number of shoots, shoot thickness and height) was also perceivable in biomass output of the energy willows.