Dear Editor

We hereby submit a manuscript entitled “Elemental composition of willow short rotation crops biomass depending on variety and harvest cycle” by M. J. Stolarski, D. Niksa, and M. Krzyżaniak, to be considered for publication as regular article in Biomass & Bioenergy.

The aim of this study was to determine the content of selected macroelements (phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, calcium, sodium and sulphur), microelements (boron, copper, iron, manganese and zinc) and trace elements (cadmium, chromium, nickel and lead) in willow biomass of two different varieties and three clones, harvested in annual, biennial and triennial cycles in north-eastern Poland.

The study found significant variability between varieties/clones and harvest cycles.

Manuscript include 4 tables, and 6 figures.

We declare that this manuscript is original, has not been published before and is not currently being considered for publication elsewhere.

We wish to confirm that there are no known conflicts of interest associated with this publication and there has been no significant financial support for this work that could have influenced its outcome. The manuscript has been read and approved by all named authors. Moreover, the article has been checked by a native tongue speaker.

We hope you find our manuscript suitable for publication and look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Dariusz Niksa, MSc

University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Poland.