African Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 6(14), pp. 3272-3283, 18 July, 2011 Available online at http://www.academicjournals.org/AJAR DOI: 10.5897/AJAR10.675 ISSN 1991-637X ©2011 Academic Journals Full Length Research Paper Energy plantations of dendroflora species on open-pit coal mines overburden deposits Dragana M. Drazic 1 *, Milorad Veselinovic 2 , Branislava Batos 2 , Ljubinko Rakonjac 2 , Nevena Cule 2 , Suzana Mitrovic 2 and Maja Djurovic-Petrovic 3 1 Department of Environmental Protection, Institute for Forestry, Belgrade, Serbia. 2 Institute for Forestry, Belgrade, Serbia. 3 Ministry of Science and Technological Development, Belgrade, Serbia. Accepted 30 May, 2011 In order to define the models of energy plantations of the short rotation on deposols of open-pit coal mines, The Serbian Ministry of Science and Technological Development supported the researches aimed at the determination of the post-exploitation areas suitable for the short rotation plantations in the Kolubara basin. Besides the research of ecological conditions of the post-exploitation areas, research of the development and productivity of biomass in the forest cultures established during the biological recultivation, the comparative experiment was set with the number of fast-growing species, in order to determine the technology of the soil preparation, feeding, density of sowing, measures of protection, effects of phytoremediation, the selection of the mechanical devices, the analysis of the economic parameters, etc. The aim of the research is the increase of the participation of energy from biomass and partial replacement of the fossil fuels, in accordance with the Kyoto Protocol, Davos Forum and other international agreements. This paper presents some results which are part of the project. Key words: Biomass, short rotation plantations, deposols, Kolubara lignite basin. INTRODUCTION The industrial, general-economic, as well as civilization developments of the human community are inconceivable without the energy sources. The non-renewable fossil energy sources such as coal, oil and natural gas, which account for 2/3 of the known world reserves of the primary energy sources, are still the most important. The coal accounts for 46% of the reserves. Since Serbia is relatively poor in the reserves of quality and high-calorie brown coals and since they are exploited by the deep mines, they do not cause major disturbances to the landscapes and nature ecosystems in these areas. However, Serbia is rich in low-calorie lignite which is mainly used for the production of the electricity in thermal plants. The increasing need for electricity and the limited hydro-energy potential as the most important, eco- friendly, renewable potential, results to the further increase of the lignite production in open-pit mines . It *Corresponding author. E-mail: drazicd@yubc.net. Tel: +381637241300. Fax: +381112545969. implies the disruption of orography, destruction of the ecosystems and further endangering of the environment by the pollutants of the current and future thermal plant (Drazic et al., 2007). Short rotation forestry (SRF) in Europe has a long tradition and originally aimed at providing a supply of fuel, fodder and convenience wood, usually by means of coppice systems. The main genera involved are: Populus, Salix, Eucalyptus, Robinia, Betula, Alnus, Castanea and Quercus. Eucalypt is confined to the Mediterranean parts of Europe, whereas willow and birch mainly are found in the northern parts. SRF systems are employed in forestry and agriculture and have integrated functions in agroforestry, shelterbelt- and environmental applications such as vegetation filter systems. Modern SRF has developed towards an industry which needs large volumes and a continuous supply. Consequently the focus is on species with a high initial growth rate and breeding programmes are directed towards resistance or tolerance against pathogens. With the actual range of final products in mind (biomass for energy purposes, paper pulp, particle board, veneer, construction wood) a