Abstract
In semi-arid regions, afforestation with fast-growing species cultured with low irrigation can be an effective approach for environmental protection. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the stem biomass production of Paulownia in a semi-arid climate and clay soils under contrasting low-irrigation and fertilization treatments. The stem biomass at the stand level was estimated by applying allometric equations fitted in sample resprouts and inventory data. The results show that biomass production improved when either irrigation or fertilizer was added, but the combination of a higher dose of irrigation and fertilization did not lead to the highest biomass production; thus water availability was the main factor controlling biomass production. Under the higher dose of irrigation, the absence of a fertilizer effect would be due in part to the fertile soil, which could supply sufficient nutrients for Paulownia growth at the higher level of soil moisture. The stem biomass estimated ranged from 2.14 to 4.50 t×ha−1 (lower irrigation dose without fertilization, and higher irrigation with fertilization). The greater production was similar to other studies in the Mediterranean area receiving more irrigation. Thus, this study permitted us to understand the potential of Paulownia to provide biomass in semi-arid environments with low irrigation due to water use restrictions.
Highlights
Dry Semi-arid (Bs or steppe) climate covers 14% of the Earth’s land surface and is characterized by deficient precipitation during most of the year [1]
Based on the results of the statistical analysis, we found that both fertilization and irrigation are significant for the stem biomass production in Paulownia trees
We conclude that irrigation with 2000 liters per tree can be used in the silvicultural management of Paulownia plantations to obtain about 4.3 t⋅ha−1 in the first resprout
Summary
Dry Semi-arid (Bs or steppe) climate covers 14% of the Earth’s land surface and is characterized by deficient precipitation during most of the year [1]. Region is affected by this climate, many crops have been transformed from dry to irrigated agriculture through generalized use of groundwater over the past 30 years. This is the case of Castilla-La Mancha, a Spanish Mediterranean region in which socio-economic development has been linked to agricultural land use. Groundwater pumping (406 Mm3 year−1, 98% of which are used in irrigated agriculture) has provoked a steady drop in groundwater levels [2]. The volume of water withdrawal is not compatible with the amount of aquifer recharge, estimated at 320 Mm3⋅year−1 by the Hydrologic
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