Changes in Organic Carbon and Trace Elements in the Soil of Willow Short-Rotation Coppice Plantations

Short rotation coppice (SRC) is a biomass production system for energy usually grown on former agricultural land with fast-growing tree species. In Sweden, willow SRC has been grown since the late 1980s. SRC on arable soils may induce changes in some soil quality parameters due to differences in crop characteristics and management practices. In this study, pH, organic carbon (C), and trace element concentrations in the soil of 14 long-term (10–20 years) commercial willow SRC fields in Sweden were compared with those in adjacent, conventionally managed arable soils. The results showed that organic C concentrations in the topsoil and subsoil of SRC fields were, on average, significantly higher (9 % in topsoil, 27 % in subsoil) than in the reference fields. When comparisons were made only for the ten sites where the reference field had a crop rotation dominated by cereal crops, the corresponding figures were 10 % and 22 %. The average concentration of cadmium (Cd), which is considered the most hazardous trace element for human health in the food chain, was 12 % lower in the topsoil of SRC fields than in the reference fields. In the corresponding comparison of subsoils, no such difference was found. For chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn), there were no significant differences in concentrations between SRC fields and the reference fields in either topsoil or subsoil. Negligible differences in pH in the same comparisons were found.     

Measuring Harvestable Biomass in Short-Rotation Willow Bioenergy Plantations Using Light Attenuation

Routine monitoring of above ground biomass within purpose-grown willow biomass energy production systems is important for timing harvest and other operations to maximize profit and increase plantation productivity. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of an elegant nondestructive mensurative technique for providing reliable estimates of harvestable biomass for six willow varieties during a 3-year rotation. The LAI-2000 Plant Canopy Analyser was used to measure the stem area index of growing willow and relate it to harvestable biomass at four locations within Saskatchewan, Canada over a 3-year period. Given the highly significant relationship (R ²?=?0.95; P?<?0.0001) between measured stem area index and harvestable willow biomass, independent of variety, age, or location, this simple mensurative technique is a promising alternative for estimating above ground biomass in short-rotation willow plantations.     

Impact of Willow Short Rotation Coppice on Water Quality

Short rotation coppice (SRC) with willow has been grown in Sweden from the late 1980s to produce biomass for energy on agricultural land. This study evaluated the effects of SRC on water quality by determining differences in leaching of nitrogen and phosphorus to groundwater of a number of commercial “old” SRC willow stands in Sweden compared to adjacent arable fields grown with “ordinary” crops. The study was conducted in 16 locations under three vegetation seasons. NO₃–N leaching from willow SRC fields was significantly lower than that from reference fields with cereals. The opposite was observed for PO₄–P; concentrations in the groundwater of SRC were higher compared to reference fields. Sewage sludge applications were not responsible for the elevated PO₄–P leaching under SRC compared to reference crops.     

Short-Rotation Coppice of Willow for Phytoremediation of a Metal-Contaminated Agricultural Area: A Sustainability Assessment

Large areas of land contaminated with cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) are currently in agricultural production in the Campine region in Belgium. Cadmium contents in food and fodder crops frequently exceed legal threshold values, resulting in crop confiscation. This imposes a burden on agriculture and regional policy and, therefore, encourages proper soil management. One way to increase agricultural income and improve soil quality is by growing alternative nonfood crops such as willows in short-rotation coppice (SRC) systems that remediate the soil. This paper compares SRC of willow with rapeseed and energy maize regarding four attributes: metal accumulation capacity, gross agricultural income per hectare, CO₂ emission avoidance potential, and agricultural acceptance. Based on multicriteria decision analysis, we conclude that, although SRC of willow has a high potential as an energy and remediating crop, it is unlikely to be implemented on the short term in Flanders unless the economic incentives for the farmers are improved.     

QTL Mapping of Enzymatic Saccharification in Short Rotation Coppice Willow and Its Independence from Biomass Yield

Short rotation coppice (SRC) willows (Salix spp.) are fast-growing woody plants which can achieve high biomass yields over short growth cycles with low agrochemical inputs. Biomass from SRC willow is already used for heat and power, but its potential as a source of lignocellulose for liquid transport biofuels has still to be assessed. In bioethanol production from lignocellulose, enzymatic saccharification is used as an approach to release glucose from cellulose in the plant cell walls. In this study, 138 genotypes of a willow mapping population were used to examine variation in enzymatic glucose release from stem biomass to study relationships between this trait and biomass yield traits and to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with enzymatic saccharification yield. Significant natural variation was found in glucose yields from willow stem biomass. This trait was independent of biomass yield traits. Four enzyme-derived glucose QTL were mapped onto chromosomes V, X, XI, and XVI, indicating that enzymatic saccharification yields are under significant genetic influence. Our results show that SRC willow has strong potential as a source of bioethanol and that there may be opportunities to improve the breeding programs for willows for increasing enzymatic saccharification yields and biofuel production.     

Leaf Functional Traits and Stem Wood Characteristics Influencing Biomass Productivity of Mulberry (Morus spp. L) Genotypes Grown in Short-Rotation Coppice System

The present study was undertaken to obtain insights into the productivity determinant traits of mulberry (Morus spp. L.), a potential bioenergy tree crop. Our objectives were to identify leaf functional traits and stem wood characteristics that are correlated to biomass yield of mulberry. Based on the growth performance, six mulberry genotypes from different performance groups including high (Selection1 and Thaibeelad), average (Mysore Local) and poor (Triploid10, Jhoropakari and Selection1635) were selected for the study, along with a reference high-yielding genotype (Victory1). The study was conducted in Southern India for two consecutive years, covering two experimental seasons including exp season I (July 2009 to October 2009) and exp season II (July 2010 to October 2010). Mulberry trees were cultivated in a short-rotation coppice system under well-irrigated optimum farming conditions. Data were collected on biomass yield along with several leaf-level physiobiochemical characteristics and wood quality parameters. Significant genetic variation was recorded amongst the genotypes in most of the studied parameters. Fifteen out of a total of 22 traits, used in computing correlation coefficient matrix, were found to correlate with aboveground biomass yield. Light-saturated rate of photosynthesis, performance index, leaf nitrogen content, minimum leaf water potential and leaf-specific hydraulic conductance showed strong positive correlation with biomass productivity. Wood density, wood cross-sectional area and fibre cell density exhibited tight correlation with woody biomass yield. In conclusion, the identified 15 characteristics could be useful in the selection of suitable mulberry genotypes for higher biomass yield.     

Effect of Nitrogen Fertilization and Residual Nitrogen on Biomass Yield of Switchgrass

Switchgrass, Panicum virgatum L., grown for biomass has been extensively researched where the annual precipitation >760 mm and the climate varies from humid to moist-subhumid. Research is needed for areas that receive <700 mm of precipitation, where the climate varies from dry-subhumid to semiarid. The objectives were to determine (1) the effect of nitrogen fertilization on biomass production, (2) the effect of residual nitrogen on biomass production, (3) the nitrogen yield from harvested biomass, and (4) the concentration of soil organic carbon (SOC) from switchgrass plots. Plots were fertilized annually with nitrogen at the rates of 0, 40, 80, and 120 kg ha^?1 from 2008 to 2011 and unfertilized from 2012 to 2015. The biomass yield varied with N rate × production year interactions (P < 0.05), and biomass yield as a function of N rate was either linear or curvilinear depending upon production year. When fertilized, the biomass yield averaged 4.4, 9.4, 11.6, and 13.2 ± 0.4 Mg ha^?1 for the 0, 40, 80, and 120 kg ha^?1 N rates, respectively. Residual nitrogen sustained high biomass yields for 1 year after fertilization ceased. The nitrogen harvested in biomass varied with N rate × production year interactions (P < 0.05), and the harvested nitrogen yield as a function of N rate was linear each year. Fertilization increased the concentration of SOC an average of 1.0 ± 0.2 mg g^?1 of soil. The data suggest that producers could occasionally skip a year of nitrogen fertilization without detrimentally impacting the production of switchgrass biomass.     

Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilization for some Atriplex Plants Grown on Metal-contaminated Soils

There is little information available about the impact of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization on the uptake of metals by Atriplex plants. A series of pots experiments were conducted to define the metals uptake response of four Atriplex species to urea (U) and superphosphate (SP) fertilization. The studied Atriplex species were river saltbush (Atriplex amnicola), wavy saltbush (Atriplex undulata), quail saltbush (Atriplex lentiformis), and old man saltbush (Atriplex nummularia). The growth and metals uptake of Atriplex species were significantly (P < 0.05) affected by the fertilizer treatments. U reduced the soil pH by 10% compared to the control. SP reduced the availability of Zn, Pb, and Cd by 24, 16, and 28% compared to the control. U increased the shoots Zn and Pb by 16 and 20% compared to SP. The combined application of U+SP reduced the Zn and Pb concentrations in the shoots by 10 and 13% compared to U alone. U increased the root-to-shoot transfer of Zn and Pb by about 30 and 49%. Root phosphorus (P) and calcium (Ca) limit the translocation of metals to the Atriplex shoots and this may be by the precipitation of the metals in the roots. The study clearly showed that it is feasible to apply P fertilizer to alleviate root-to-shoot transfer of Zn and Pb. Moreover, pure N application should be avoided to minimize the occurrence of high levels of Zn and Pb in the Atriplex shoots.     

Establishment and Early Growth of Willow at Different Levels of Weed Competition and Nitrogen Fertilization

To evaluate the effects of weed competition and nitrogen fertilization on the early growth performance of willow, cuttings of the clone Tora (Salix schwerinii x S. viminalis) were planted in buckets together with model weeds (spring barley or white mustard) sown 15, 26, and 30 days after willow planting. The buckets were fertilized with 30 or 90 kg N ha^?1. Willow with weeds sown after 15 days produced less biomass and smaller leaf area and had a lower maximum shoot height compared to willow planted without weeds and willow with weeds sown after 26 or 30 days. Fertilization with 90 kg N ha^?1 gave higher willow biomass production in willow with weeds sown after 26 or 30 days. Type of model weed had no effect on willow performance. Weed biomass and maximum shoot height were higher in weeds planted without willows compared to the willow-weed mixtures. A high nitrogen level gave more weed biomass when planted without willows and in the willow-weed mixture with weeds sown after 15 days. We conclude that for the given high density of willow, competition from weeds emerging soon after willow planting had strong effect on early production. Furthermore, if there is a risk of weed infestation, fertilization should be delayed.     

First-Rotation Performance of Five Short-Rotation Willow Cultivars on Different Soil Types and Along a Large Climate Gradient

The establishment of short-rotation willow coppice plantations for bioenergy production is proposed as a land management practice to reduce the use of fossil fuels. However, there is little information on the performance of different willow (Salix spp.) cultivars on various types of soils and over climate gradients. This study aimed to determine which set of soil, climatic conditions, and cultivars are conducive to greater growth in eastern Canada. The performance of five willow cultivars was followed over three growing seasons on eight sites representing a large hydroclimatic gradient. Both geographic location and cultivar had a significant effect on annual yields. Annual yields were on average greater in the southern part of the climatic gradient. Across all cultivars, annual yields were positively correlated to average annual temperature (r = 0.23), total annual precipitation (r = 0.77), average growing season temperature (r = 0.21), average growing season precipitation (r = 0.47), and degree days (r = 0.18), as well as soil pH (r = 0.37) and soil extractible P (r = 0.38), and negatively correlated to soil clay content (r = 0.33). Cultivars of the SX group (i.e., Salix miyabeana SX61, SX64, and SX67) showed greater yield than did cultivars of the SV group (i.e., Salix × dasyclados SV1 and Salix viminalis SV5027). These results indicate that at the landscape level, climate variables, especially climate-related variables, largely explain the yield of the selected willow cultivars. Nonetheless, soil pH, extractable P, and clay content likely play an important role in plantation yield.     

Biomass Yield and Nutrient Removal Rates of Perennial Grasses under Nitrogen Fertilization

Perennial grasses may provide a renewable source of biomass for energy production. Biomass yield, nutrient concentrations, and nutrient removal rates of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), giant miscanthus (Miscanthus x giganteus), giant reed (Arundo donax L.), weeping lovegrass [Eragrostis curvula (Shrad.) Nees], kleingrass (Panicum coloratum L.), and Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers.) were evaluated at four N fertilizer rates (0, 56, 112, or 168?kg?N?ha^?1) on a Minco fine sandy loam soil in southern Oklahoma. Species were established in 2008 and harvested for biomass in winter of 2009 and 2010. Biomass yield (dry matter basis) did not show a strong relationship with N fertilizer rate (p?=?0.08), but was affected by year and species interactions (p?<?0.01). Weeping lovegrass and kleingrass produced 29.0 and 16.0?Mg?ha^?1 in 2009, but only 13.0?Mg?ha^?1 and 9.8?Mg?ha^?1 in 2010, respectively. Biomass yields of giant reed, switchgrass, and Johnsongrass averaged 23.3, 17.8, and 6.0?Mg?ha^?1, respectively. Giant miscanthus established poorly, producing only 4.7?Mg?ha^?1. Across years, giant reed had the highest biomass yield, 33.2?Mg?ha^?1 at 168?kg?N?ha^?1, and the highest nutrient concentrations and removal rates (162 to 228?kg?N?ha^?1, 23 to 25?kg?P?ha^?1, and 121 to 149?kg?K?ha^?1) among the grasses. Although giant reed demonstrated tremendous biomass production, its higher nutrient removal rates indicate a potential for increased fertilization requirements over time. Switchgrass had consistently high biomass yields and relatively low nutrient removal rates (40 to 75?kg?N?ha^?1, 5 to 12?kg?P?ha^?1, and 44 to 110?kg?K?ha^?1) across years, demonstrating its merits as a low-input bioenergy crop.     

有机培肥和减施氮肥对小麦光合特性和氮素吸收及产量的影响

以常规单施氮肥处理为对照(CK,270kg·hm-2),设置秸秆还田(J)、秸秆还田+牛粪(JF)、秸秆还田+沼渣(JZ)3种有机培肥措施,耦合N1(较CK减量10%)、N2(较CK减量20%)和N3(较CK减量30%)3个施氮水平,采用田间试验方法,探究有机培肥和减施氮肥对小麦光合特性、氮素吸收及产量的影响。结果表明:(1)与CK相比,有机肥配施氮肥明显促进了小麦生育期分蘖的发生和有效群体数的形成,提高叶绿素含量并维持旗叶较高光合速率水平,促进小麦地上部干物质积累、植株氮素吸收,增加穗粒数和千粒重,并显著提高小麦产量,产量增幅为4.21%~17.80%,并以JFN2(JF+N2)处理组合产量最高(6 853.43kg·hm-2)。(2)同一有机肥培肥处理中,N2(减施氮肥20%)处理效果最好,能显著促进小麦群体形成,提高小麦叶绿素含量、光合速率和产量;JFN2小麦群体数在成熟期分别比JFN1、JFN3增加5.16%、4.31%,JFN2叶绿素含量在花期分别较JFN1、JFN3增加2.29%、2.31%;JFN2处理产量分别比JFN1和JFN3显著增加11.41%和7.56%。(3)同一施氮水平下,成熟期干物质积累量表现为JZN1处理显著大于JFN1和JN1处理,分别增加8.93%和12.01%;花期JF处理氮素积累量在3种施氮水平下均分别显著高于其它2种有机培肥处理;JFN2处理籽粒产量显著高于JZN2和JN2处理,增幅分别为12.17%和6.09%。研究认为,有机肥耦合施氮量可促进小麦分蘖和有效群体数的形成,提高叶绿素含量和光合速率,增加植株干物质和氮素积累,从而增加小麦产量。     

Enhanced Nitrogen Fixation Increases Net Photosynthetic Output and Seed Yield of Hydroponically Grown Soybean

Ten to 20% of the net photosynthetic output of a tropical grainlegume may be consumed by the nodulation-nitrogen-fixation process.If plant growth activities during the reproductive phase werelimited by photosynthetic output, enhanced nitrogen fixationwould seemingly lower total plant mass and seed yield. To testthis possibility, soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] plants weregrown hydroponically on nutrient medium supplemented with minimalurea or with an excess of either nitrate or nitrate plus urea.Acetylene reduction activities (i.e. nitrogen fixation rates)and transpiration rates were measured twice weekly on theseplants through pod fill. Of the plants inoculated, those grownon minimal urea revealed significantly greater acetylene reductionactivities and transpiration rates. At maturity, plants thathad fixed nitrogen at a rapid rate during pod fill had a significantlygreater seed size, total plant mass (i.e. net photosyntheticrate) and nitrogen content than uninoculated or poorly nodulatedplants grown on an excess of nitrate. It is concluded, therefore,that a rapid rate of nitrogen fixation during pod fill enhancesboth transpiration and net photosynthetic output. The increasedavailability of usable nitrogen (i.e. ureides), coupled withenhanced transpiration and photosynthetic output, significantlyincreases total plant mass and seed yield. Thus, enhanced nitrogenfixation seems to be an inexpensive means of increasing seedyield of soybean and perhaps of other tropical grain legumes. Key words: Glycine max, nodulation, nitrate, urea     

Dry Matter Losses and Methane Emissions During Wood Chip Storage: the Impact on Full Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas Savings of Short Rotation Coppice Willow for Heat

A life cycle assessment (LCA) approach was used to examine the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy balance of short rotation coppice (SRC) willow for heat production. The modelled supply chain includes cutting multiplication, site establishment, maintenance, harvesting, storage, transport and combustion. The relative impacts of dry matter losses and methane emissions from chip storage were examined from a LCA perspective, comparing the GHG emissions from the SRC supply chain with those of natural gas for heat generation. The results show that SRC generally provides very high GHG emission savings of over 90 %. The LCA model estimates that a 1, 10 and 20 % loss of dry matter during storage causes a 1, 6 and 11 % increase in GHG emissions per MWh. The GHG emission results are extremely sensitive to emissions of methane from the wood chip stack: If 1 % of the carbon within the stack undergoes anaerobic decomposition to methane, then the GHG emissions per MWh are tripled. There are some uncertainties in the LCA results, regarding the true formation of methane in wood chip stacks, non-CO₂ emissions from combustion, N₂O emissions from leaf fall and the extent of carbon sequestered under the crop, and these all contribute a large proportion of the life cycle GHG emissions from cultivation of the crop.     

根箱种植下不同水肥管理模式对小麦生育后期根系氮代谢酶活性及产量的影响

该研究以小麦‘矮抗58’为材料,采用根箱种植,设计3种不同产量水平的水肥管理模式［高产高效（HH）、高效（HE）、超高产（SH）］,于小麦花后（0、7、14、21、28 d）测定不同土层（0~20 cm和20~40 cm）根系谷氨酰胺合成酶（GS）、谷氨酸合成酶（GOGAT）、谷丙转氨酶（GPT）和硝酸还原酶（NR）的活性,并分析籽粒产量及其构成因素,以探讨水分控制、肥料管理等方面集成的大田管理模式下小麦生育后期根系氮代谢的生理机制,为生产中提高氮素利用效率、实现高产优质提供理论依据和技术支持。结果显示：（1）在小麦生育后期,20~40 cm土层根系的氮代谢酶活性高于0~20 cm土层根系;HH模式下不同土层根系的4种氮代谢酶活性均显著高于SH和HE 模式,而SH与HE 模式间则在大部分时期差异不显著。（2）3种模式下0~20 cm和20~40 cm土层根系的GS活性在花后14 d有一个小高峰,之后又下降,呈现出降 升 降的变化趋势。（3） HH模式下根系的GOGAT活性强度及维持时间均高于SH和HE模式;HH模式和SH模式下0~20 cm和20~40 cm土层根系的GPT活性在开花期至花后7 d无明显变化, 7~14 d时GPT活性迅速下降,但14~28 d时GPT活性无明显变化。（4）3种模式下不同土层根系的NR活性在开花期至花后21 d下降比较缓慢,花后21~28 d时NR活性迅速下降。（5）3种模式间的小麦籽粒产量及其构成因素差异显著,且HH模式的籽粒产量显著高于SH和HE模式。研究表明,采用合理的栽培管理模式能够更好地调控小麦花后根系氮代谢相关酶活性,促进花后根系氮同化能力,从而更好地协调小麦地上与地下部的生理活动,保障小麦高产,且HH栽培模式下的小麦根系氮同化能力最强,收获的产量也最高。     

不同耕作与施肥方式对有机玉米田杂草群落和作物产量的影响

农田杂草是农业生态系统的重要组成部分。有机农田杂草控制是农业生产的一大难题,通过施肥方式改变杂草的竞争格局有望成为杂草控制的新途径。以暖温带有机玉米田为研究对象,设置了5种不同处理,即不施肥对照处理（CK）、施用牛粪处理（CM）、施用蚯蚓处理过的牛粪处理（EM）、免耕秸秆不覆盖处理（NT）和免耕秸秆覆盖处理（NS）,研究不同耕作和施肥方式对田间杂草密度、生物量、生物多样性及作物产量的影响。结果表明,在有机玉米农田内共发现杂草17种,CK杂草总密度最高,但杂草总生物量和生物多样性指数较低。EM杂草总生物量和牛筋草（Eleusine indica）生物量最高,分别比CK增加了192.6%和224.8%（P〈0.01）,物种丰富度和生物多样性指数较低,优势集中度指数较高。NS杂草总密度、总生物量和生物多样性与NT相比显著降低。此外,EM玉米（Zea mays）产量比CK高40.2%（P〈0.01）,比CM高19.6%（P〈0.01）。施用蚯蚓处理过的牛粪不仅提高了玉米产量,而且可以促进优势种杂草的生长,提高杂草群落的优势集中度。     

Effect of Azolla filiculoides on Growth,Physiological and Yield Attributes of Maize Grown under Water and Nitrogen Deficiencies

Journal of Plant Growth Regulation - Owing to water scarcity and environmental hazards of synthetic fertilizers, reducing water and chemical N fertilizers is very urgent for sustainable...     

Fertilization of SRC Willow,II: Leaching and Element Balances

Short rotation coppice (SRC) willow is an emerging cropping system in focus for production of biomass for energy. To increase production, the willow is commonly fertilized, but studies have shown differing effects of fertilization on biomass production, ranging from almost no response to considerable positive effects. Focus has also been on replacing mineral fertilizer with organic waste products, such as manure and sludge. However, the effect on biomass production and environmental impact of various dosage and types of fertilizer is not well described. Therefore we studied the environmental impacts of different doses of mineral fertilizer, manure and sewage sludge in a commercially grown SRC willow stand. We examined macro nutrient and heavy metal leaching rates and calculated element balances to evaluate the environmental impact. Growth responses were reported in a former paper (Sevel et al. “Fertilization of SRC Willow, I: Biomass Production Response” Bioenergy Research, 2013). Nitrogen leaching was generally low, between 1 and 7 kg N ha^?1 year^?1 when doses of up to 120 kg N ha^?1 year^?1 were applied. Higher doses of 240 and 360 kg N ha^?1 as single applications caused leaching of 66 and 99 kg N ha^?1 year^?1, respectively, indicating N saturation of the system. Previous intensive farming including high doses of fertilizer may be responsible for a high soil N status and the high N leaching rates. However, moderate fertilization input could not compensate P and K exports with the biomass harvest. No elevated leaching of heavy metals was observed for any fertilization treatments and more cadmium than applied with the fertilizer was removed with the biomass from the system.