Ecoremediation of degraded areas through agri-energy crops production

In accordance with Kyoto Protocol, as well as with priorities of sustainable development of Serbia, production and use of biomass is crucial for provision of annually renewable national source of energy and for environmental quality conservation. Integrated approach, from the ecoremediation aspect, is the imperative for production of energy crops, both agricultural and forest ones, because estimated available biomass is not satisfactory in terms of quality and quantity as well. Comparing the production of energy crops on fertile and degraded soils with other agricultural and forest cultures through determination of a) minimal requirements to be met by soil in order to sustain energy, environmentally and economically efficient production of agro-energy crops, b) minimal yields and techno-economic parameters for production of agro-energy crops and c) realistic possibilities for production of energy crops in degraded areas, in EPS focus. The following plant species have been selected: Miscanthus giganteus – Giant Chinese Silver Grass, Salix – willows (domestic species and special clones), Sorghum – sorghum. The materials and energy balances of production of energy crops are significantly more favorable than with the conventional agro and forest cultures. The production of agro-energy crops significantly contributes to the absorption of CO2 from the atmosphere, conservation of soil fertility, water treatment and other ecosystem services.