Salix Viminalis Research Articles

Selected Physical and Mechanical Properties of Particleboards Manufactured from Plantation Willow and Poplar Wood.

This research focuses on producing particleboards from the biomass of plantation willow (Salix viminalis L.) and poplar (Populus spp.), aiming to explore their feasibility as sustainable materials for various applications. Fast-growing willow and poplar are known for their rapid growth and suitability for energy production. They present an intriguing alternative as raw materials with added value for particleboard manufacturing. This study investigates the selected mechanical and physical properties of the produced particleboards, considering parameters such as density profile, bending strength, modulus of elasticity, internal bond, water absorption, thickness swelling, and screw withdrawal resistance. The research results were also compared between different mass shares of willow and poplar particles in the particleboards. The results show that the panels produced entirely from the tested alternative raw materials had a modulus of rupture of 21.7 N mm-2 compared to 14.6 N mm-2 for the reference panels, with an internal bond of about 2.02 N mm-2 compared to 0.65 N mm-2 for the reference panels. The thickness swelling after 24 h of soaking was about 24.2% compared to 42.2% for reference panels. The findings underscore the promising potential of willow and poplar-based particleboards as eco-friendly alternatives in the construction and furniture industries, contributing to resource efficiency and carbon emission reduction efforts.

Decrease due to pollution in the rhizosphere microbial diversity can be amended by supplementation from adapted plants of another species

Manipulating the rhizosphere microbiome to enhance plant stress tolerance is an environmentally friendly technology and a renewable resource to restore degraded environments. Here we suggest a sustainable bioremediation strategy on the example of Stebnyk mine tailings storage. We consider Salicornia europaea rhizosphere community, and the ability of the phytoremediation plant Salix viminalis to recruit its beneficial microbiome to mediate the pollution stress at the Stebnyk mine tailings storage. The tailings contain large amounts of brine salts and heavy metals that contaminate the ground water and surrounding areas, changing soil biogeochemistry and causing increased erosion. The species richness of the endophytic bacterial community of S. viminalis roots was assessed based on observed OTUs, Shannon-InvSimpson, and evenness index. Our results obtained using the plant-based enrichment strategy show that biodiversity was decreased across the contamination zones and that S. europaea supplementation significantly increased the species richness. Our results also indicate that the number of dominating bacteria was not changed across zones in both S. europaea-treated and untreated bacterial populations, and that the decrease in richness was mainly caused by the low abundant bacterial OTUs. The importance of selecting the bioremediation strains that are likely to harbor a reservoir of genetic traits that aid in bioremediation function from the target environment is discussed

ENERGY CROPS – OUTLOOK FOR ENVIRONMENTAL FUTURE FOR HUMANITY AND THE PLANET EARTH

The growing risk of irreversible depletion of fossil energy sources like petrol, natural gas and coal, and the emissions of gasses consequence from their combustion, is causing the necessity of the introduction of energy crops for the manufacture of energy products. These include annual or perennial plants, fast-growing tree types – hybrid willows, poplars and others, and water crops – red algae, giant kelp, seaweed etc. Most preferred in Europe and the US are Paulownia sp. (P. elongata и P. tomentosa), giant reed (Arundo donax), elephant grass (Miscanthus giganteus), weeping willow (Salix babylonica) and wicker (Salix viminalis). So far in Bulgaria are preferred herbaceous energy crops such as corn, canola, sorghum, etc., but also were introduced some kind of timber. The global development of the sector would help to address the environmental problems associated with the release of huge quantities of greenhouse gasses. In the processing and utilization of energy crops, the amount of waste products is reduced to near zero, thereby avoiding environmental pollution.

Biomass yield and metal phytoextraction efficiency of Salix and Populus clones harvested at different rotation lengths in the field experiment

BackgroundPhytoextraction belongs to environmentally well-accepted remediation technologies to remove metals from contaminated soils. Due to long-time requirement, sufficient data for proper phytoextraction evaluation are missing. Four clones of fast-growing trees: two willow species (S1), Salix viminalis L. (Salix schwerinii E.L.Wolf × S. viminalis) × S. viminalis) and (S2)—Salix smithiana (Salix × smithiana Willd.), and two poplar clones (P1), Populus Max-4 (Populus nigra L. × Populus maximowiczii A. Henry) and (P2) Wolterson (P. nigra L.) were cultivated under field conditions at medium-to-high Cd and Pb, and low Zn soil contamination to assess trees’ long-term ability of biomass production and removal of potentially toxic elements (PTEs). The biomass yield and PTE uptake were measured during 8 years of regular growth under three rotation lengths: four harvests following 2-year periods (4 × 2y), two harvests in 4-year periods (2 × 4y), and one harvest representing 8 years of growth (1 × 8y).ResultsIn most cases, the highest annual dry biomass yield was achieved with a 2 × 4y rotation (P1 = 20.9 t ha−1 y−1, S2 = 18.4 t ha−1y−1), and the yield decreased in order 2 × 4y > 1 × 8y > 4 × 2y of harvesting periods. Only clone S1 showed a different pattern. The differences in biomass yield substantially affected the PTE phytoextraction. The greatest amount of Cd and Zn was removed by willow S2, with the highest biomass yield, and the strongest ability to accumulate PTEs. With 2 × 4y rotation, S2 removed a substantial amount of Cd (9.07%) and Zn (3.43%) from the topsoil horizon (0–20 cm) and 5.62% Cd and 2.04% Zn from horizon 20–40 cm; phytoextraction rate was slightly lower for 1 × 8y rotation. The poplar P1 removed the most Pb in the 1 × 8y rotation, but the overall Pb phytoextraction was negligible. The results indicated that lignin and cellulose contents increased, and hemicellulose content decreased with increased concentrations of Cd, Pb and Zn in poplars wood.ConclusionsThe data confirmed that phytoextraction over longer harvest periods offered promising results for removing Cd from medium- to high-level contaminated soils; however, the ability of Pb removal was extremely low. The longer harvest period should be more economically feasible.Graphical

Economic potential of agricultural-riparian shrub willow: An evaluation of the biomass producing capabilities and costs of cultivating Salix viminalis downslope of potato cropping systems in PEI

Shrub willow (Salix spp.) is increasingly grown as a biomass crop and for a range of environmental applications. Merging the economic and environmental objectives of willow production may facilitate more widespread adoption by reducing production costs and justifying willow cultivation in traditional agricultural settings. Incorporating willow in agricultural-riparian transition areas, particularly in intensive or high-input agricultural systems, can enhance watercourse protection from diffuse pollutants, mitigate indirect agricultural N2O emissions, and sequester carbon. However, biomass accrual and economic feasibility needs quantification on localized scales.This study investigated the biomass accrual of 9 agricultural-riparian willow buffers in Prince Edward Island, Canada, receiving no direct fertilization. Carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus assimilation was measured in stem and root biomass, limitations on growth assessed, and benefit-cost analysis was conducted to determine opportunities for bioenergy use and deployment. First rotation agricultural-riparian Salix viminalis displayed considerable site-to-site variation in biomass production, with water availability being the primary limiting factor on growth. Mean total plant biomass and annual yield ranged from 0.54 to 7.9 kg dry matter plant−1 and 0.25–16.59 Mg ha−1 yr−1 (mean 3.9), respectively. CO2 fixation was 0.67–46.64 Mg CO2 ha−1 yr−1, of which 0.23–15.7 Mg CO2 ha−1 yr−1 was root biomass, indicative of long-term sequestration. Nitrogen and phosphorus removal was 6.05–39.1 (mean 23.3) and 1.1–4.8 (mean 2.8) kg ha−1 yr−1. Benefit-cost analysis revealed that shrub willow production can be economically viable for on-farm heating when yields exceeding 5.6 Mg dry matter ha−1yr−1 are achieved, but off-farm sale is not currently economically justified.

Biomass Production and Metal Remediation by Salix alba L. and Salix viminalis L. Irrigated with Greywater Treated by Floating Wetlands

As an alternative wood source for biochar and a cost-effective renewable energy source, sustainable biomass production based on fast-growing willows irrigated with treated wastewater has been explored. Salix alba L. and Salix viminalis L. were selected for assessment of their potentially high woody biomass productivity and phytoremediation efficiency when irrigated with greywater treated by floating treatment wetlands. Both Salix species produced significantly (p < 0.05) high woody biomass in the second harvest, with a significantly higher fresh woody biomass weight with higher water content (53%) for S. viminalis compared to S. alba. The dry biomass weight of S. alba was greater than of S. viminalis at the first harvest. The element accumulations in substrates changed significantly after irrigation, with greywater compared to the raw substrate following this order: Mg > Fe > Al > Cr > Mn > Cd > Cu > B. Element concentrations accumulated in twigs of S. alba following this order: Ca > Mg > Na > Mn > Zn > Fe > Al > Cd > Cu > Cr > Ni > B, but for S. viminalis the order was Ca > Mg > Mn > Zn > Na > Fe > Al > Cd > Cu > Ni > Cr > B. The accumulations of Al, B, Ca, Fe, Mg, Mn, and Ni were significantly greater in S. alba leaves compared to their twigs, which showed significantly high accumulations of Na and Zn. The accumulations of Al, B, Ca, Fe, Mg, Mn, and Na were significantly greater in S. viminalis leaves compared to their twigs.

The effect of peat replacement in horticulture media by willow (Salix viminalis L.) biomass compost for cucumber transplant production.

This research evaluated the usefulness of horticultural substrates prepared on the basis of compost from chipped willow without additives and with the addition of nitrogen and decomposing mycelium of the cellulose-lignin fraction of wood in the cultivation of cucumber seedlings. The produced composts were mixed in different proportions: mixture 1 (W1) - the proportion of compost without additives and compost prepared with the addition of nitrogen and mycelium was in the ratio of 50:50, mixture 2 (W2) - the proportion of compost without additives and compost prepared with the addition of nitrogen and mycelium was in the ratio of 75:25. The starting mixtures were used to prepare horticultural substrates with different components (peat - P, vermicompost - V) and additives: basaltmeal - B, biochar from deciduous wood - C. The components were added in varying proportions. A total of 29 different substrates were subsequently tested in the study. Plant showed that the traits assessed varied to a greater extent under the effect of the test factors than at earlier growth stages. It was demonstrated that cucumber grown on substrates with 75% or 50% willow compost had a unit weight at the same statistical level as when grown on peat substrate (P). The plants with the highest unit weight (8.5- 10.4 g), belonged to the same homogeneous group and derived from sites W1P1B2, W2P1, W1P1B1, W2P2, W1P1C1, P, W1P1, W2B1, W2P2B2. High-quality cucumber transplant should characterise well develop, optimal height-to-stem thickness ratio, short hypocotyl, thick green leaves and cotyledons.

Identification and prevalence of Capnocytophaga canimorsus and Capnocytophaga cynodegmi from the dog population in Wrocław, Poland

In recent years, there has been growing interest in exploring the potential health benefits of incorporating natural plant substances into the diets of farm animals. Basket willow (Salix viminalis), rich in flavonoids, tannins, and salicylates, has emerged as a candidate with analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and anthelmintic properties, making it appealing for integration into ruminant farming practices. This study aimed to analyze the effects of dietary supplementation with basket willow on the neuroanatomical properties of the small intestine in farmed fallow deer. Immunohistochemical methods and morphometric measurements were employed to assess changes in noradrenergic, galaninergic and nitrergic innervation patterns. Twenty-four fallow deer were divided randomly, with 12 individuals placed in both a control group and an experimental group, with the latter receiving willow supplementation. The results revealed significant alterations in the morphology and innervation patterns of the enteric nervous system (ENS) in the experimental group, including a decrease in ganglion size and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) immunoreactive nerve fibers, and an increase in galanin immunoreactive neurons. These findings suggest a potential modulation of gastrointestinal function by willow supplementation. However, caution is warranted due to the high salicylate content in basket willow, which may pose risks to gastrointestinal integrity. Overall, while basket willow supplementation shows promise in enhancing animal farming methods, further research is needed to elucidate its mechanisms and optimize its use in ruminant farming practices.

Effect of Ash from Salix viminalis on the Biomass and Heating Value of Zea mays and on the Biochemical and Physicochemical Properties of Soils

Wood ash is sometimes used as an alternative to mineral fertilizers; however, there is still a paucity of reliable data concerning its effect on plants—and on biological properties of soil. The present study aimed to determine the possible extent of soil pollution with ash from Salix viminalis that does not disturb the growth of Zea mays L., intended for energetic purposes, in order to identify how the increasing ash doses affect biochemical and physicochemical properties of soil and to finally to establish the neutralizing effects of soil additives, i.e., compost and HumiAgra preparation, on this soil pollutant. The study demonstrated that the heating value of Zea mays L. was stable and not modified by the excess content of ash from Salix viminalis in the soil. This finding points to the feasibility of Zea mays L. cultivation on soils contaminated with ash from Salix viminalis and its use in bio-power engineering. The biomass of the aboveground parts of Zea mays L. was significantly reduced after soil contamination with Salix viminalis ash dose of 20 g kg−1 d.m. soil, whereas the smaller ash doses tested (5–10 g kg−1 d.m. soil) did not impair either the growth or the development of Zea mays L. The ash inhibited activities of all analyzed soil enzymes but increased soil pH and sorption capacity. Fertilization with compost proved more effective in neutralizing the adverse effect of ash on enzymatic activity of the soil.

The effect of heavy metal-containing wastewater sediment on the microanatomical characteristics of the leaves and stem of Salix viminalis L.

A comparative microanatomical study of Salix viminalis L. shoots was performed in order to get an idea of the effect of toxic elements stress on the microanatomical parameters of the shoot (leaves, stem). The examined Salix viminalis L. shoots originated from the Lovász-zug suburban area of Debrecen city, where a sewage settling pond was formerly operated as a secondary biological purification unit. The control Salix triandra x viminalis L. 'Inger' samples originated from the Nyíregyháza experiment with uncontaminated soil. As a result of our research, we can state the following in the case of the leaf samples grown on contaminated soil: the leaf lamina thickness decreased; the extent of the palisade parenchyma decreased; the extent of the intercellular spaced increased inside the spongy parenchyma; the width and the height of the main veins increased; the extent of the collenchyma bordering the main vein increased; the stomatal density increased both in the case of the adaxial and abaxial epidermis; the size of the stomas decreased. In the case of the stem samples, we observed the following: in the case of the samples grown on contaminated soil the extent of the primer cortex increased; the cell wall of the cells building the sclerenchimatic fibers thickened; the number of Ca-oxalate crystal rosettes and sclereids increased; the extent of secondary phloem increased; the lumen of the tracheas in the secondary xylem increased; the average width of the annual rings decreased; the extent of the central stele of the stem increased.

Metal Accumulation and Tolerance of Energy Willow to Copper and Nickel under Simulated Drought Conditions

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of drought on the accumulation and tolerance of energy willow (Salix viminalis L. var. ‘Gigantea’) to copper (Cu) and nickel (Ni) in the context of phytoremediation potential of the plant and biomass production under adverse water conditions. Drought was simulated with polyethylene glycol (PEG-6000. 5%), and metals were added at a concentration of 1 mM. Plants were cultivated in greenhouse conditions for 21 days according to the experimental variants: control, Cu, Ni, PEG, PEG + Cu and PEG + Ni. The results indicate high toxicity of Cu (chlorosis, necrosis, decrease in biomass, plant dehydration, increase in the content of proline and phenolic compounds), and PEG + Cu co-treatment increased the toxicity of the metal. Ni applied at the same concentration did not cause toxicity symptoms. The willow exhibits the ability to accumulate Ni, and mutual application of PEG + Ni increased Ni uptake to new shoots. Cu caused elevated accumulation of proline and phenolics in leaves accompanied with a decreased carbon and nitrogen content in roots in favor of young shoots. Both metals and drought led to disruption in the content of mineral nutrients (Ca, Mg, Fe). Due to high tolerance to Ni and drought, S. viminalis var. ‘Gigantea’ bears high potential for biomass production on Ni-polluted sites with accompanying metal uptake increased under water deficit.

Large effect of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria on the growth and gene expression of Salix spp. at low phosphorus levels.

Phosphorus is one of the most important nutrients required for plant growth and development. However, owing to its low availability in the soil, phosphorus is also one of the most difficult elements for plants to acquire. Phosphorus released into the soil from bedrock quickly becomes unavailable to plants, forming poorly soluble complexes. Phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) can solubilize unavailable phosphorus-containing compounds into forms in which phosphorus is readily available, thus promoting plant growth. In this study, two willow species, Salix dasyclados cv. Loden and Salix schwerinii × Salix viminalis cv. Tora, were inoculated with two selected bacterial strains, Pantoea agglomerans and Paenibacillus spp., to evaluate the plant growth parameters and changes in gene expression in the presence of different concentrations of tricalcium phosphate: 0 mM (NP), 1 mM (LP), and 2 mM (HP). Inoculation with PSB increased root, shoot and leaf biomass, and for the HP treatment, significant changes in growth patterns were observed. However, the growth responses to plant treatments tested depended on the willow species. Analysis of the leaf transcriptomes of the phosphate-solubilizing bacterium-inoculated plants showed a large variation in gene expression between the two willow species. For the Tora willow species, upregulation of genes was observed, particularly for those involved in pathways related to photosynthesis, and this effect was strongly influenced by bacterial phosphate solubilization. The Loden willow species was characterized by a general downregulation of genes involved in pathway activity that included ion transport, transcription regulation and chromosomes. The results obtained in this study provide an improved understanding of the dynamics of Salix growth and gene expression under the influence of PSB, contributing to an increase in yield and phosphorus-use efficiency.

Inter- and intraspecific diversity of Salix bark phenolic profiles – A resource for the pharmaceutical industry

Due to their content of phenolic compounds, willow bark preparations are used as an herbal remedy. The large diversity of phenolic secondary metabolites in Salix still provides a resource for the identification of bioactive compounds in particular species, including species not yet in focus from a phytopharmaceutical perspective. The present study describes the bark phenolic profile of 13 Salix species analyzed by HPLC-MS: Salix alba, Salix babylonica, Salix daphnoides, Salix fragilis, Salix hastata, Salix myrsinifolia, Salix pentandra, Salix purpurea, Salix repens (including subspecies S. repens ssp. arenaria and S. repens ssp. repens), Salix rosmarinifolia, Salix sachalinensis, Salix triandra and Salix viminalis. The analyzed profiles comprised the chemical groups of salicylates, flavonoids, procyanidins, phenolic acid derivatives, and some unclassified phenolics. Particular compounds were detected in species where they have not been previously reported. Apart from interspecific diversity, qualitative variability within species was observed as certain components were detected only in some of the analyzed genotypes. The knowledge on specific phenolic profiles of species and genotypes is the basis for the selection of suitable willow bark material with certain desired bioactive properties. Furthermore, the high inter- and intraspecific variability points out the necessity for product standardization of willow bark raw material.

A comparison of riparian buffer designs incorporating short‐rotation Salix viminalis to mitigate surface water pollution in the Dunk River watershed on Prince Edward Island

AbstractRiparian buffers protect surface water from diffuse pollutants, mitigating sediment, nutrient, and chemical losses from agricultural landscapes. Prince Edward Island, Canada, has legislated 15‐m riparian buffers, yet stream contamination from agriculture remains widespread. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool and Riparian Ecosystem Management Model were used to simulate 12 years of nutrient and sediment loads from five potato Hydrologic Response Units in the Dunk River watershed on PEI and evaluate water quality impacts of 30 m three‐zone buffers incorporating shrub willow relative to existing 15 m grass and forest buffers and assess optimal buffer width. Willow buffers (30 m) removed 49.9 T ha−1 year−1 sediment, 18.5 kg ha−1 year−1 total N (TN) and 7.8 kg ha−1 year−1 total P (TP). This was 5.6% and 4.1% more sediment and TP than existing 15 m grass buffers and 7.5%, 12.6%, and 16.8% more sediment, TP, and TN than existing 15 m forest buffers. Willow buffers removed significantly more particulate contaminants than forest and significantly more soluble than grass. Optimal willow buffer width downslope of potato fields was 40 m. Overall, incorporating shrub willow and/or riparian widening can have considerable water quality benefits, particularly in regard to sediment retention, and maximize both soluble and particulate pollutant removal on PEI.

Some Properties of Briquettes and Pellets Obtained from the Biomass of Energetic Willow (Salix viminalis L.) in Comparison with Those from Oak (Quercus robur)

Fast-growing species have been increasingly developed in recent years, and among them, those cultivated to obtain combustible woody biomass have shown rapid development. The purpose of this research study is to highlight the properties of the briquettes and pellets obtained from energetic willow compared to the briquettes and pellets obtained from oak biomass. Methodologies have been based on international standards and were used to find the physical, mechanical, and calorific properties of the two types of briquettes and pellets. The results did not highlight a significant difference between the two categories of briquettes and pellets obtained from the two hardwood species (energetic willow and oak). Characteristics such as the calorific value were 20.7 MJ/kg for native pellets and 21.43 MJ/kg for torrefied pellets of energetic willow, as well as the compressive strength of 1.02 N/mm2, surpassed the same characteristics of briquettes and pellets obtained from oak biomass. Other characteristics of energetic willows, such as energetic density of 18.0 × 103 MJ/m3, splitting strength of 0.08 N/mm2, shear strength of 0.86 N/mm2, and abrasion of 1.92%, were favorably related to the oak biomass. The ecological analysis highlighted the high potential of the ecological willow in a period when the quantities of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere by human activities are very high, and its sequestration by existing forests is insufficient. As a general conclusion of this research study, it can be stated that the two categories of briquettes and pellets obtained from the woody biomass of the energetic willow and oak species have similar characteristics, which can be used separately or together in ecological and sustainable combustion.

Gender-specific responses of Salix viminalis roots in morphology and physiology subjected to flooding

Flooding is one of the most common abiotic stresses that plants suffer. Roots are organs that directly sense anoxic environments, but there are few researches on the response of roots to flooding. In this research, the responses of male and female Salix viminalis plants to flooding were investigated by examining the morphological and physiological responses of roots. Our results showed that primary roots (PRs) growth was significantly inhibited and damaged to a certain extent. However, adventitious roots (ARs) formed in a short time and were essential for plants to endure flooding. To cope with flooding stress, the antioxidant enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) increased. Although Pro-contents increased, they were too low to contribute significantly to osmotic adjustment. The anaerobic respiration metabolic pathway was also activated, as proven by increased pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC), alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities, and the ethanol metabolism pathway might have a key function in adapting to the hypoxic environment for S. viminalis. In addition, increased non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs) of starch and soluble sugar (SS) contents indicated that quiescence strategy might exist in S. viminalis. Overall, there were no significant differences between males and females under flooding stress, and both genders exhibited strong adaptability to the flooding environment. Therefore, two genders of S. viminalis could be applied in the riparian zone.

The Evaluation of the Phytoremediation Potential of the Energy Crops in Acid Soil by Sewage Sludge Fertilization

Phytoremediation is a green technique being increasingly used worldwide for various purposes, including sewage sludge contaminated by heavy metals. Most plants proposed for this technique have high nutrient demands, and fertilization is often required to maintain soil fertility and nutrient balance. In this context, sewage sludge could be a valuable source of nutrients (especially N and P) and water for plant growth. The main aim of this study was to assess the phytoremediation potential of selected energy plants, aspects of its increase, as well as contamination risks. Three treatments were used: unfertilized soil and the application of 45 and 90 t ha−1 of sewage sludge. The experiment was performed in common osier and cup plant growing sites. Cr, Ni, Pb, Cu, and Zn contents in the soil tended to rise steadily when the amount of sewage sludge increased from 45 to 90 t ha−1. Heavy metal concentrations in the soil were ranked as follows: Zn > Cr > Ni > Pb > Cu. Cr and Pb concentrations increased by 22.5% and 37.4% in 2020, respectively, compared to those in 2017, whereas Cu concentrations declined by 44.4%. Cu and Ni were significantly reduced by common osier while Pb and Zn were reduced by cup plant. A moderate potential ecological risk due to Cr, Ni, Cu, Pb, and Zn was observed in soils. The data can be used to estimate the suitability of the soil treated by sewage sludge for added value development in line with circular economy principles.

Comparing biomass yields of various willow cultivars in short-rotation coppice over six growing seasons across a broad climatic gradient in Eastern Canada

The current context of ecological transition and the fight against climate change have revived interest in short-rotation coppice (SRC) of woody crops for bioenergy or bioproduct purposes. To determine the growth and yield potential of different willow cultivars, plantations were established in five regions of Quebec (Canada) across a wide climatic gradient. The present study compares results obtained after six years of cultivation at two coppicing frequencies (two and three years). Although annual yields approaching 20 tons ha−1 have been recorded at several of the study sites, little difference in the productivity of the tested cultivars was found, except for Salix viminalis “5027”, which was generally less productive. Overall productivity was weakest at La Morandière, the northernmost site. Neither frequency of coppicing lead to a difference in yields. At La Pocatière, one of the coldest regions in this study, yields of cultivars were comparable to those recorded at the southernmost sites. Moreover, the highest cumulative yield after six years was recorded at that site with the cultivar “SV1”. The fact that yields at most sites remain high after several years is indicative of the production potential of willow crops in SRC for Eastern Canada.

First record of damage to Salix viminalis L. by Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

The Asian corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is one of the most harmful pests of many crops in Asia and Australia. This paper reports for the first time its occurrence and damage on basket willow (Salix viminalis L.). The finding allows us to alert farmers and institutions for further tracking its establishment and spread in monoculture and polyculture systems involving the basket willow in China and other countries.

Effects of Energy Crop Monocultures and Sewage Sludge Fertiliser on Soils and Earthworm Community Attributes

Biomass is one of the most significant renewable energy sources. Doubts arise from large-area plantations of energy monocultures, which can lead to the depletion of, and a decrease in, soil biodiversity. Community association analyses of Lumbricidae may help to indicate environmental change. Therefore, the study objectives were to determine the qualitative and quantitative diversity of Lumbricids in plantations of energy crops—basket willow (Salix viminalis L.), foxglove tree (Paulownia tomentosa Steud.), and black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.)—by investigating the following cultivation treatments: SV and SVSS—S. viminalis without (w/o) and with the addition of sewage sludge to the soil (+SS); PT and PTSS—P. tomentosaw/o and + SS; RP and RPSS—R. pseudoacaciaw/o and +SS; and MW—meadow community. A significantly higher density (p < 0.05) and biomass (p < 0.05) of earthworms were found in the SV and SVSS plantations than in other sites. The application of sewage sludge contributed to a significant increase in the mean number and biomass of all Lumbricids within cultivations of S. viminalis and R. pseudoacacia, which were significantly higher than those in the control site. This work suggests that woody energy crop production with an appropriate selection of plants and fertilisation can be a favourable habitat for the development of earthworm populations.