Modeling Hybrid Poplar As Short Rotation Crop Using Epic.

Short rotation woody crops (SRWC) such as hybrid poplar Populus spp. are potential feedstocks for cellulosic derived biofuels. The ability to accurately predict the growth,  biomass yields  and other environmental variables of SRWC under various cliamte and management conditions is important for determining economic performance and overall sustainability of the biofuel production system. Tree coppicing is often used in the management of SRWC plantations. Modeling the response of the SRWC to the coppice cycle is a requirement in long term predictions of stand productivity. The objective of this study was to develop a coppicing submodule in EPIC to model hybrid poplar growth to evaluate feedstock supply potentials under different production conditions. This was accomplished by modifying the EPIC model to include a simple root interaction system to simulate the sprouting and regrowth of coppiced trees. The modied model was tested against published information from three previous hybrid poplareld studies employing coppicing. Soil and weather inputs were parameterized to be as close to the growing conditions as possible for theyield trials.