Woody Crop Plantations Research Articles

How drought tolerant are tropical woody crop species – turgor loss points for the five most common species in the emerging landscapes on the Malaysian Peninsular

Drought events are increasing with climate change and threaten the future of industrial plantations in Southeast Asia. Drought tolerance has been well investigated for oil palm plantations. A comparative study on the tolerance of different woody crop species is still missing. We assessed the leaf turgor loss point of five common woody crop species using osmometry. The aim was to assess possible future risks in terms of the species´ drought tolerance. The research was carried out in Simpang Pertang, Malaysia. We collected botanical material from five species, namely Acacia mangium, Hevea brasiliensis, Tectona grandis, Mangifera indica, and Elaeis guineensis. To assess the adaptation of the local tree species pool, we measured the turgor loss point of the 65 most abundant tree species in the Pasoh forest reserve for comparison. Measured species showed a wide range of drought tolerance, ranging from -2.56 MPa to -1.15 MPa and -2.46 MPa to -0.88 MPa for crop species and forest species, respectively. Under the current precipitation regime, there is less concern about the cultivation success of these species in the study area. With the predicted changes in rainfall intensity and frequency, a reduction in the productivity of woody crop plantations can be expected.

AGRICULTURE LAND AFFORESTATION WITH FAST-GROWING WOODY CROPS: ECONOMIC EVALUATION ACCORDING TO YIELDS OF PREVIOUS EXPERIMENTAL TRIALS

European Union (EU) aims to increase the share of renewable energy in total energy consumption in the next decades. The main renewable resource, which is mentioned in the policy documents, is biomass, especially wood biomass. Wood biomass for energy purposes could be successfully acquired from fast-growing woody plantations, growing on non-used agricultural lands. In Latvia, in 2019 were around 250 000 ha non-used agriculture land and part of it could be used for plantation growing. In Latvia, suitable woody species for use in plantations are willow, hybrid aspen, and grey alder. For economic calculations plantation site preparation before planting, planting, management, and biomass harvest costs were calculated, as well as revenues from selling biomass. In total 7 different plantation models were evaluated. Comparing the economic indicators for fast-growing woody crop plantation models during their cultivation and applying a discount rate of 7.63%, average service costs and product selling prices for the period 2015-2019, and under the existing plantation support system in 2021, intensively managed willow plantations, extensively managed willow plantations and hybrid aspen agroforestry plantations show positive accumulated cash flow. Hybrid aspen woody plantations and plantation forest, and grey alder energy wood and woody plantations show a negative accumulated cash flow, and their establishment in 2021 does not pay off. Factors that mostly affect plantation cash flow and therefore economic return are the biomass selling price and harvested biomass volume.

A STELLA Model to Estimate Water and Nitrogen Dynamics in a Short-Rotation Woody Crop Plantation.

Although short-rotation woody crop biomass production technology has demonstrated a promising potential to supply feedstocks for bioenergy production, the water and nutrient processes in the woody crop planation ecosystem are poorly understood. In this study, a computer model was developed to estimate the dynamics of water and nitrogen (N) species (e.g., NH-N, NO-N, particulate organic N, and soluble organic N [SON]) in a woody crop plantation using STELLA (tructural hinking and xperiential earning aboratory with nimation) software. A scenario was performed to estimate diurnal and monthly water and N variations of a 1-ha mature cottonwood plantation over a 1-yr simulation period. A typical monthly variation pattern was found for soil water evaporation, leaf water transpiration, and root water uptake, with an increase from winter to summer and a decrease from summer to the following winter. Simulations further revealed that the rate of soil water evaporation was one order of magnitude lower than that of leaf water transpiration. In most cases, the relative monthly water loss rates could be expressed as evapotranspiration > root uptake > percolation > runoff. Leaching of NO-N and SON depended not only on soil N content but also on rainfall rate and duration. Leaching of NO-N from the cottonwood plantation was about two times higher than that of SON. The relative monthly rate of N leaching was NO-N > SON > NH-N. This study suggests that the STELLA model developed is a useful tool for estimating water and N dynamics from a woody crop plantation.

Effect of Increased Soil Fertility on the Yield and Energy Value of Short-Rotation Woody Crops

Biomass is produced as a feedstock for energy generation and industrial processes from short-rotation woody crop plantations in Europe, the USA, and Canada. This study determined the impact of soil enrichment on the survival rate, productivity, energy value, and yield of three species of crops grown on poor soil in a 4-year harvest rotation based on two factors: species (willow, poplar, and black locust) and fertilization (lignin, mineral fertilization, mycorrhiza inoculation, and their combination). The highest average yield was obtained from willow, followed by poplar and black locust. The highest yield in the entire experiment was for poplar with lignin combined with mineral fertilization (10.5 odt ha−1 year−1). Using lignin combined with mineral fertilizers increased the yield by 8–14 % compared to mineral fertilizers alone for willow and poplar and nearly doubled the black locust yield. The energy value of the yield ranged from 28.6 to 176.7 GJ ha−1 year−1, respectively, for black locust grown on the control plot and for poplar grown with mineral fertilization combined with lignin.

Operational short rotation woody crop plantations: Manual or mechanised harvesting?

Harvesting is the most expensive, but the least investigated process in the cultivation of short rotation woody crops (SRWC). To get a better idea of the harvesting process (in terms of its performance, productivity, cost, soil compaction, cutting height and quality as well as biomass losses), we closely monitored the second harvest of a SRWC culture in Flanders (Belgium). We compared our results to the harvests of other, small European parcels. The trees at our site were harvested with both a manual and a mechanised (Stemster harvester) cut-and-store system, while the cut-and-chip system was analysed from an extensive literature survey. The production cost (to the edge of the field) at our site reached 426 (manual) and 94 (mechanised) € t−1, while the average values found in the literature are respectively 104 and 78 € t−1, versus 17 € t−1 for the cut-and-chip harvesting system. The productivity at our site reached 14 (manual) and 22 (mechanised) oven-dry tonnes per scheduled machine hour, while the average values found in the literature are respectively 15 and 23 t h−1. Based on the good performance (ha h−1) and productivity (t h−1) of the cut-and-chip system as well as its lower costs, this harvesting system is recommended for operational SRWC.

A STELLA Model to Estimate Soil CO2 Emissions from a Short-Rotation Woody Crop

The potential for climatic factors as well as soil–plant–climate interactions to change as a result of rising levels of atmospheric CO2 concentration is an issue of increasing international environmental concern. Agricultural and forest practices and managements may be important contributors to mitigating elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations. A computer model was developed using the Structural Thinking and Experiential Learning Laboratory with Animation (STELLA) software for soil CO2 emissions from a short-rotation woody crop as affected by soil water and temperature regimes, root and microbial respiration, and surficial processes such as rainfall, irrigation, and evapotranspiration. The resulting model was validated with good agreement between the model predictions and the experimental measurements prior to its applications. Two scenarios were then chosen to estimate both diurnal and annual soil CO2 emissions from a 1-ha mature cottonwood plantation as affected by soil temperature, soil (i.e., root and microbial) respiration, and irrigation. The simulation resulted in typical diurnal soil respiration and CO2 emission patterns, with increases from morning to early afternoon and decreases from early afternoon to midnight. This pattern was driven by diurnal soil temperature variations, indicating that soil temperature was the main influence on soil respiration and CO2 efflux into the atmosphere. Our simulations further revealed that the average seasonal soil respiration rate in summer was 1.6 times larger than in winter, whereas the average seasonal CO2 emission rate in summer was 1.77 times larger than in winter. Characteristic annual variation patterns for soil respiration and CO2 emission also were modeled, with both increasing from January 1 through June 30 followed by steady declines from September 1 through December 31. These results suggest that the STELLA model developed is a useful tool for estimating soil CO2 emission from a short-rotation woody crop plantation.

Harvest of Natural Shrubs with a Biobaler in Various Environments in Québec, Ontario and Minnesota

The biobaler is a novel approach to cut woody crops up to 150-mm basal diameter and compress the biomass into round bales. It can be used to harvest short-rotation woody crop plantations such as willow or hybrid poplar. It can also be used to clear wild brush, forest understory, and encroaching small trees to improve land management. A commercial version of the biobaler was evaluated for the latter purpose, i.e., to harvest natural shrubs in various environments in central Canada (at three sites in Qubec and two sites in Ontario) and in mid-western United States (at seven sites in Minnesota). More than 250 bales were harvested and monitored on natural stands in 2009 and 2010 to gain information on machinery management under wide-ranging conditions of crop species, density, and soil conditions. The harvest rate ranged from 2 to 26 bales/h (average of 14 bales/h). Bale mass averaged 477 kg at 46% moisture content [260 kg dry mass (DM)/bale at a density of 166 kg DM/m]. Diesel fuel consumption averaged 8.5 L/t DM. Harvesting cost with the biobaler was estimated at $33/t DM in high yield with rapid harvest (20 bale/h) and $64/t DM at low capacity (10 bales/h) which can be caused by lower yield or poor traction. The information will be helpful to evaluate the cost of environmental management of natural stands covered with brush and the potential biomass that may be recovered.

Woody biomass in the U.S. Cornbelt? Constraints and opportunities in the supply

The U.S. is clearly entering a new era of liquid fuel production; one that will be characterized by increasing degrees of renewable raw materials. Woody biomass is an especially compelling feedstock choice where available. Significant questions, however, exist regarding the potential of some landscapes to provide this feedstock. In an effort to answer these questions, we performed an exploratory spatial assessment of woody biomass production and supply capabilities in two-ecoregions Mississippi River corridor within the US Cornbelt. We used existing forest/timber inventories and conducted in-depth interviews with large regional sawmills to understand the accessibility of woody biomass from natural forests, availability of and general costs associated with woody biomass in the existing timber industry, and potential for production from short-rotation woody crop plantations. On an annual basis, taking into account only the annual net growth of non-sawlog species the Midwest Driftless Area currently produces 3.14 times the raw material required by a hypothetical facility using one-half million dry tons of woody biomass per year. Although allocated over a larger area, the Central Dissected Till Plain produces 3.94 times the required material. Throughout the entire region there would be an additional lower bound estimate of 107,000 dry Mg from easily transportable sawmill residues. The ecological state of US Cornbelt forests stand to gain from a developed market for woody biomass as proper woodland management to harvest trees, preserve wildlife, and reduce risk from disease, pests, and invasive species typically involves harvesting the low-value trees that will by and large drive the woody biomass system.

Nitrogen supply and demand in short-rotation sweetgum plantations

Intensive management is crucial for optimizing hardwood plantation success, and nitrogen (N) nutrition management is one of the most important practices in intensive management. Because management of short-rotation woody crop plantations is a mixture of row-crop agriculture and plantation forestry, we tested the usefulness of an agronomic budget modified for deciduous perennial trees for estimating N fertilizer recommendations. We studied the foliar N demand, resorption, and uptake response of two sweetgum ( Liquidambar styraciflua L.) plantations on a converted agricultural field and a pine cutover site to biannual applications of three nitrogen (N) fertilizer rates: 0, 56 and 112 kg N ha −1. We also estimated soil N supply, foliar N uptake efficiency, and apparent fertilizer N uptake efficiency. Fertilization increased foliar demand (defined as total foliar N content), resorption, and uptake at both sites, but to a greater degree on the cutover site, which had lower soil N supply. Resorption efficiency did not increase with fertilization, but resorption proficiency, the N concentration of senesced leaves, was reduced (N concentrations higher) at the drier agricultural field site and in the fertilized trees. Based on our budget analysis, we recommend fertilizing sweetgum plantations with 50 kg N ha −1 for each 2000 kg ha −1 of foliage biomass, assuming they have 45–65 kg ha −1 of soil N supply.

Effects of Clone, Silvicultural, and Miticide Treatments on Cottonwood Leafcurl Mite (Acari: Eriophyidae) Damage in PlantationPopulus

Aculops lobuliferus (Keifer) is a little known pest of plantation Populus spp., which is capable of causing substantial damage. This is the first documented occurrence of A. lobuliferus in South Carolina. Previous anecdotal data indicated clonal variation in Populus susceptibility to A. lobuliferus damage. A damage rating scale was created to monitor mite damage in 2000–2001 in a short-rotation woody crop plantation; damage descriptions and seasonal phenology also were recorded. Foliar damage and terminal mortality were monitored on two Populus deltoides Bartr. clones, ST66 and S7C15, receiving one of three silvicultural treatments (irrigated [I], fertilized [F], or I+F) or no treatment (control). In 2001, early season foliar damage ratings were significantly higher on clone S7C15; however, damage on clone ST66 was greater after miticide treatments later in the year. Terminal mortality did not differ between clones. Silvicultural treatment significantly affected foliar damage levels in both clones. Trees receiving I+F and F treatments had higher damage ratings than did trees receiving irrigation alone or the control at times. Clone S7C15 trees receiving fertilizer had significantly less terminal mortality than their nonfertilized counterparts. Application of a commercially available miticide significantly reduced A. lobuliferus damage levels. This study demonstrates that A. lobuliferus damage levels can be influenced by Populus clone and silvicultural treatment. Foliar and terminal damage levels observed in this study indicate the potential for substantial economic impact of A. lobuliferus on plantation Populus. Although an effective control method may be to select and plant resistant Populus clones, chemical control remains a viable option.

Cottonwood leaf beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) defoliation impact on Populus growth and above‐ground volume in a short‐rotation woody crop plantation

Abstract The impact of cottonwood leaf beetle Chrysomela scripta F. defoliation on four plantation‐grown Populus clones was examined over three growing seasons. We used a split‐plot design with two treatments: protected (by insecticides) and an unprotected control. Tree height and diameter at 1 m were measured annually and above‐ground volume was calculated. Protected trees of most clones had grown over 2 m taller after three growing seasons. Diameter differences ranged from over 1–4 cm larger on protected trees. Insecticide protection increased above‐ground volume over 20 dm3 in one clone, and at least 4 dm3 in all others. Chrysomela scripta defoliation resulted in a 50–73% loss of above‐ground volume. Defoliation also resulted in increased lateral branching and forked terminals on unprotected trees. Defoliation impact varied among clone. The pure Populus deltoides clone 91 × 04‐03 showed the greatest growth response to chemical protection, whereas clone NM2 (P. nigra × P. maximowiczii) responded the least. Pest control is a key issue in short‐rotation plantation management. Until adequate pest‐resistant clones can be developed and natural enemy complexes better understood, chemical (biorational and organic) and cultural control may be used to reduce impacts of herbivorous pests.

Economic injury level for second-generation cottonwood leaf beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in two-year-old Populus.

The cottonwood leaf beetle, Chrysomela scripta F., is a major defoliating pest of Populus in North America. As the use of Populus in short-rotation woody crop plantations continues to increase, there are increasing economic and environmental needs to develop rational pest management programs to reduce the impact of this insect. Our objective was to determine the economic injury levels for the second generation of the cottonwood leaf beetle during plantation establishment. Integrating the cost of the management, market value, insect injury, and host response to the injury, the economic injury levels for second generation cottonwood leaf beetle on 2-yr-old Populus were determined to be from 0.2 to 0.9 egg masses per actively growing terminal.

Effects of polyethylene mulch in a short-rotation, poplar plantation vary with weed-control strategies, site quality and clone

The utility of mulching in various forestry applications remains unclear due to mixed results in field trials. Additionally, few studies have attempted to assess the utility of mulching across a range of conditions, to determine the circumstances that maximize the degree and longevity of mulching-related enhancements. The objective of this study was to gauge the effect of black polyethylene mulch (poly mulch) across a range of site conditions, weed-control treatments and genotypes in a short-rotation, poplar plantation, to describe the circumstances that maximize the benefits of mulching on early growth and survival. Poplar plantations composed of one native clone ( Populus deltoides Bartr. [D105]) and one hybrid clone ( P. nigra L.×P. maximowiczii A. Henry [NM6]) were established in a randomized complete-block design ( 2.4 m×3 m spacing) during May, 1999, under intensive and minimal weed-control strategies at two sites of different soil quality. Nested within each weed-control treatment was an assessment of tree performance using poly mulch vs. no mulch. Stem volume increments (SVI, dm 3) were measured on trees in all treatments during the 1999 and 2000 growing seasons. During establishment (1999), poly mulch enhanced SVI in all treatment combinations. In the second year, the benefit of mulching was restricted to conditions of higher vegetative competition and lower site quality. The relative benefit of poly mulch (i.e., the ratio of SVI under mulched vs. non-mulched conditions) increased in the second year in conditions of high vegetative competition at both sites, while it decreased in the intensively managed plots at both the sites. Tree survival exceeded 90% for both the clones in all treatment combinations, except under the greatest vegetative competition (i.e., high-quality site with minimal weed control), where survival for D105 fell below 40% in both mulched and non-mulched conditions. While poly mulch may improve early growth in short-rotation, woody crop plantations under a wide range of conditions, its practical utility appears to be restricted to specific applications. At the high-quality site in this study, mulching showed little potential as an economically feasible tool under either intensive weed control (due to the rapid attrition of mulching benefits) or minimal weed control (due to low survival and slow growth). Conversely, on marginal sites poly mulch may provide a more attractive management option in both intensive and minimal weed-control applications, particularly for certain clones.

Temporal and spatial scaling from individual trees to plantations: A modeling strategy

In order to effectively deploy short-rotation woody crop plantations for energy and fiber production at regional scales, biologically sound-field-level models of plant growth are required. Individual tree growth process models have proven effective at predicting growth based on environmental driving variables, but in the past these models have been too complex to use at the plantation scale. In this paper we describe an object-oriented strategy for scaling ECOPHYS, an individual tree growth process model for hybrid poplar, to a plantation. Included in this strategy are methods of scaling from an individual shoot to a tree, from individual trees to a patch, and from patches to a plantation. In describing interactions among trees, both above- and below-ground processes are considered. Finally, we describe methods for integrating the plantation level ECOPHYS with EPIC, a field scale model of soil productivity and erosion used in regional assessment.

Short rotation woody crop plantations in Brazil and the United States

The Short Rotation Woody Crop (SRWC) concept has been applied in the establishment of experimental and commercial plantations in both the United States and Brazil. The SRWC concept involves the application of agricultural principles to the production of tree crops for fiber or fuel. Although extensive SRWC research has occurred in the United States during the past 10 to 16 years, commercial applications have been rather limited. On the other hand, Brazil has made considerable progress in producing SRWC on a large-scale commercial basis while simultaneously conducting research. It seems clear that both countries can gain from each other's experience in SRWC experimentation and commercialization. This paper discusses and compares SRWC system developments in both countries and suggests means of improving and expanding SRWC systems use.