High yielding biomass genotypes of willow (<i>Salix</i> spp.) show differences in below ground biomass allocation.

ABSTRACT: Willows (Salix spp.) grown as short rotation coppice (SRC) are viewed as a sustainable source of biomass with a positive greenhouse gas (GHG) balance due to their potential to fix and accumulate carbon (C) below ground. However, exploiting this potential has been limited by the paucity of data available on below ground biomass allocation and the extent to which it varies between genotypes. Furthermore, it is likely that allocation can be altered considerably by environment. To investigate the role of genotype and environment on allocation, four willow genotypes were grown at two replicated field sites in southeast England and west Wales, UK. Above and below ground biomass was intensively measured over two two-year rotations. Significant genotypic differences in biomass allocation we

SUBMITTER: Cunniff J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4547486 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature