Growing woody biomass for bioenergy in southern Ontario, Canada : a case study using tree-based intercropping
Abstract
During the spring of 2006, three willow varieties from SUNY-ESF (SV1, SX67 and 9882-41) were established on a marginal land in an agroforestry tree-intercropping arrangement where plots of short rotation willow were planted between rows (spaced 15 m apart) of 20-year-old mixed tree species. As a control, the same varieties were established on an adjacent piece of land without established tree rows. The study investigated the distribution of carbon and nitrogen pools, fine root biomass and clone yields in both tree-based intercropping (agroforestry) and conventional monocropping systems. Willow biomass yield was significantly higher in the agroforestry field, 4.86 and 3.02 odt ha-1 y-1 for the agroforestry and control fields, respectively. SV1 and SX67 had the highest yields and 9882-41 had the lowest. Willow fine root biomass in the top 20 cm of soil was significantly higher in the intercropping system (3000 kg ha-1) than in the conventional system (2500 kg ha-1). Differences in fine root biomass between clones followed the same order that was observed for differences in biomass yield: SV1 [greater than] SX67 [greater than] 9882-41. Leaf input was higher in the intercropping system (1900 kg ha-1) than in the monocrop system (1700 kg ha-1). Clonal differences in leaf inputs followed the same trends as those for root biomass and yield: SV1 [greater than] SX67 [greater than] 9882-41. Soil organic carbon was significantly higher in the agroforestry field (1.94 [percent]) than in the control field (1.82 [percent]). A significant difference was found between the three clones; 9882-41 had the lowest soil organic carbon of 1.80 [percent]. In December 2009, both fields were harvested (1st cycle) with Anderson bio-baler harvester. Harvesting process and bale yield data, harvest moisture content, field drying and loss of moisture etc. will also be discussed.