Establishment and two-year growth of a bio-energy plantation with fast-growing Populus trees in Flanders (Belgium): Effects of genotype and former land use

► We studied two-year growth of 12 poplar genotypes in a newly established SRC. ► Weed management was a key factor in the establishment success of an SRC with poplar. ► First-year growth and establishment were independent of former land use type. ► Genotypic and species variation were expressed mainly in the second growth year. ► High growth performance indicates a high potential of SRC on agricultural land.