Fast growing elms as bioenergy trees

Hybrid elms obtained within breeding programs for DED resistance were usually selected to meet requirements for use as ornamentals. However, it has long been observed that these clones show enhanced growth. Nowadays DED-resistant elms are numerous enough to be considered for short rotation coppice (SRC). Here, growth and stability of performance of 24 DED-resistant elms were studied at three experimental sites in contrasting environments from 2001 to 2009. The study revealed a good growth performance of many clones with mean height increments above one meter per year, and excellent growth of some genotypes. Analysis of variance showed significant effects of clone, site and clone × site interaction, for both height and diameter increments. Stability analysis was performed by using two parametric (CV% and W2) and two non-parametric (Hühn’s Si(1) and Si(2)) indexes. According to all indexes, two clones showed superior and stable growth. These clones may be suitable for planting in a range of environments. In addition, several other clones had high growth in general or at a particular site. The results support our belief that these elm clones could be successfully used as bioenergy trees, and provide new knowledge for an informed choice of the most suitable genotypes