Abstract
Black Locust/Robinia can play an important role in land reclamation due to its pronounced nitrogen fixation capability, fast initial growth and relative high drought tolerance. Hence, we set up a trial to test 12 Black Locust clones and three provenances growing on sandy overburden material within the open cast lignite mine Welzow-Süd (South Brandenburg) in March 2014. Since then, biomass growth of the Black Locust trees was examined and physiological performance was studied on several occasions using chlorophyll a fluorescence and Dualex® measuring technique. Plant physiological measurements revealed differences in photosynthetic vitality (PIABS), although the PIABS values followed a similar pattern and sequences across the plot. While the genotypes Fra3 and Roy show the highest photosynthetic vitality, the clones Rog and Rob display the lowest PIABS mean values. Chlorophyll and phenol content as well as the nutrition supply of the test trees vary depending on their origin and site conditions. The annual biomass growth rate corresponds to photosynthetic vitality and both depend on weather conditions during the growing season. After six years, the growing biomass amounts to 14.7 Mg d.m. ha−1 for clone Rob and 44.8 Mg d.m. ha−1 for clone Fra3, i.e., 2.5 to 7.5 Mg d.m. ha−1 year−1. Our data demonstrate a good correlation between biophysical parameters and biomass growth. We, thus, infer that physiological measuring methods can be combined to strengthen predictions regarding the physiological performance of Black Locust origins.
Highlights
Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.)—once introduced to central Europe on the strength of its remarkable flowering—has established itself as a common tree species
Our study reveals pronounced differences in the physiological performance, biomass growth and stem quality of the Black Locust clones and provenances studied
Under the challenging climatic and edaphic conditions of our test site—considering photosynthetic vitality, chlorophyll and phenol content, nutrition state, biomass growth and stem quality—Robinia genotypes Rowena, Fra3 and Romy as well as the Brandenburg provenance Schöneiche show the most promise with regard to growth performance, especially for cultivation in short coppice rotation and on forest land
Summary
Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.)—once introduced to central Europe on the strength of its remarkable flowering—has established itself as a common tree species. Current estimates suggest that Black Locust covers 34,000 hectares of German forest cultivation area, with over two thirds of this area situated in the north-east German lowlands [3]. Black Locust is considered a fast-growing tree species and stands out due to its superior wood characteristics which make it suitable for wide-ranging and high-quality usage. Black Locust is predestined to contribute to the sustainable productivity of forests, even during critical weather situations such as drought and frost. Black Locust stands currently cover 4.9% (i.e., 102 hectares) of the total reclamation area managed by the lignite mining company LEAG
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