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Short rotation coppice (SRC) willow is a promising bioenergy feedstock. Fertilization is an integrated part of the production system, but knowledge about the effects in consecutive rotations is scarce. The objective of this study was to identify an appropriate fertilization regime for achieving high yields, reducing risks of nutrient leaching and maintaining the soil nutrient stocks in SRC willow on a former arable land. Ten different fertilization treatments were applied, with different application frequencies, fertilizer types and doses over three consecutive 2-year rotations. The biomass production was determined at harvest, soil solution samples were collected monthly, water fluxes were modelled using CoupModel and nutrient budgets were calculated. The unfertilized control had a mean biomass production of 8.3, 8.3 and 9.5 odt ha year, respectively, in the three rotations. This indicated that nutrients were adequately available to maintain production for at least 6 years without fertilization. When adding 60 kg N ha year, biomass production tended to be higher than the control, by 33% ( p = 0.055), and the treatment where 360 kg N ha rotation was added, by 31% ( p = 0.08). Treatments with one-time addition of 240 and 360 kg N ha rotation had significantly higher nitrogen leaching than all other treatments. Organic fertilizers did not increase biomass production nor N leaching significantly compared to the control, but nutrient budgets indicated a nutrient build-up in the soil. We concluded that application of 60 kg N ha year is recommendable, for achieving high biomass yields, low nitrogen leaching and maintenance of the soil nutrient stock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objectives of this study were to estimate biomass production in commercially grown short rotation coppice willow in Denmark and to investigate effects of site and management factors on willow yield. Biomass production assessed by non-destructive sampling on 296 plots from 25 plantations was analyzed using a mixed model approach. Average production in the stands varied between 2.4 and 15.1 odt ha year, and average second rotation growth (8.2 odt ha year) was significantly higher than first rotation growth (6.5 odt ha year). Annual production was significantly correlated with clone, soil texture, soil drainage, fertilization, weeds, rotation number, and shoot age. Further, interactions between clone and soil drainage as well as between clone and soil texture were significant, indicating the importance of a site-specific choice of clones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Short rotation coppice (SRC) willow is often regarded as one of the most promising crops to increase biomass production and thereby meet the growing demand for renewable energy. This study is based on the hypotheses that biomass production of SRC willow responds positively to increasing doses of nitrogen, and that similar biomass production response can be achieved by use of mineral fertilizer, sewage sludge and animal manure. A 2-year experiment was established with the clone Tordis grown on a sandy soil in northern Jutland, Denmark. The experiment included mineral fertilizer, sludge and manure, and treatments of different doses up to 360 kg nitrogen ha. The fertilization led to a modest but significant increase in biomass production. The largest production of 11.9 oven dried tons/ha/year was obtained for the application of 60 kg nitrogen ha annually. Higher doses did not lead to increased biomass production; in fact, production seemed to decline with increasing fertilization application (not significant). We found no difference in production between different types of fertilizers. The limited response of the fertilization may be caused by a high fertility of the soil due to former agricultural fertilization. The number of sagging shoots increased significantly with increasing nitrogen dose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A correction to the article "Fertilization of SRC Willow, II: Leaching and Element Balances" that was published in the November 7, 2013 issue is presented.

Short rotation coppice (SRC) willow is an emerging cropping system in focus for production of biomass for energy. To increase production, the willow is commonly fertilized, but studies have shown differing effects of fertilization on biomass production, ranging from almost no response to considerable positive effects. Focus has also been on replacing mineral fertilizer with organic waste products, such as manure and sludge. However, the effect on biomass production and environmental impact of various dosage and types of fertilizer is not well described. Therefore we studied the environmental impacts of different doses of mineral fertilizer, manure and sewage sludge in a commercially grown SRC willow stand. We examined macro nutrient and heavy metal leaching rates and calculated element balances to evaluate the environmental impact. Growth responses were reported in a former paper (Sevel et al. 'Fertilization of SRC Willow, I: Biomass Production Response' Bioenergy Research, 2013). Nitrogen leaching was generally low, between 1 and 7 kg N ha year when doses of up to 120 kg N ha year were applied. Higher doses of 240 and 360 kg N ha as single applications caused leaching of 66 and 99 kg N ha year, respectively, indicating N saturation of the system. Previous intensive farming including high doses of fertilizer may be responsible for a high soil N status and the high N leaching rates. However, moderate fertilization input could not compensate P and K exports with the biomass harvest. No elevated leaching of heavy metals was observed for any fertilization treatments and more cadmium than applied with the fertilizer was removed with the biomass from the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]