Nitrogen removal and its determinants in hybrid Populus clones for bioenergy plantations after two biennial rotations in two temperate sites in northern Italy

doi:10.3832/ifor1254-007

Nitrogen removal and its determinants in hybrid Populus clones for bioenergy plantations after two biennial rotations in two temperate sites in northern Italy

Pierluigi Paris⁽¹⁾, Leonardo Mareschi⁽²⁾, Maurizio Sabatti⁽³⁾, Luca Tosi^(1-3), Giuseppe Scarascia-Mugnozza⁽³⁾

iForest - Biogeosciences and Forestry, Volume 8, Issue 5, Pages 668-676 (2015)
doi: https://doi.org/10.3832/ifor1254-007
Published: Feb 02, 2015 - Copyright © 2015 SISEF

Research Articles

PDF Version

Full Text

Citation

Geo-mapping

The sustainability of bioenergy coppice plantations is strongly affected by the Nitrogen (N) balance, whose removal is very high due to the frequent harvest of large quantities of biomass composed of small-sized shoots. Poplar bioenergy coppice plantations could have a Nitrogen removal comparable to herbaceous crops. In this study, five hybrid poplar genotypes (“AF2”, “AF6”, “Monviso”, “83.148.041”, “I214”) were compared for tree morphological traits related to yield, N removal in the harvested biomass and Nitrogen wood concentration (N%) after two biennial coppice rotations in two experimental plantations located in northern Italy. N removal was primarily influenced by biomass production, and linear positive relationships between biomass yield and N removal were established. N removal also varied greatly among genotypes due to clonal differences in yield and in N%, in relation to significant differences among clones for their branching and sprouting habits. In the first rotation, branchiness was positively correlated to N% with a significant coefficient of determination (R²=0.813), while at the end of the second rotation it was also significantly correlated to the shoots per stool ratio (R²=0.804). “Monviso” and “83.148.041” were the clones showing the highest yield, but also a high N% associated to an high level of branchiness and shoots per stool ratio. Our results highlight that poplar genotype selection for sustainable N management should be aimed at genotypes with low wood N concentration, coupling high yield with low branching and sprouting habits as in the case of the clone “AF2”.

Keywords

Branching Habit, Coppice Plantations, Fertilization, Growth Traits, Sprouting Habit

Authors’ address

(1)

C.N.R.- Istituto di Biologia Agroambientale e Forestale, v. G. Marconi 2, I-05010 Porano (TR - Italy)

(2)

Corpo Forestale dello Stato, v. A. Pacinotti 5, I-01100, Viterbo (Italy)

(3)

Di.B.A.F.- Università degli Studi della Tuscia, v. S. Camillo de Lellis, I-01100 Viterbo (Italy)

Corresponding author

piero.paris@ibaf.cnr.it

Citation

Paris P, Mareschi L, Sabatti M, Tosi L, Scarascia-Mugnozza G (2015). Nitrogen removal and its determinants in hybrid Populus clones for bioenergy plantations after two biennial rotations in two temperate sites in northern Italy. iForest 8: 668-676. - doi: 10.3832/ifor1254-007

Academic Editor

Gianfranco Minotta

Paper history

Received: Jan 28, 2014
Accepted: Oct 30, 2014

First online: Feb 02, 2015
Publication Date: Oct 01, 2015
Publication Time: 3.17 months

Open Access

This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made.

Breakdown by View Type

(Waiting for server response...)

Article Usage

Total Article Views: 50296
(from publication date up to now)

Breakdown by View Type
HTML Page Views: 43374
Abstract Page Views: 2496
PDF Downloads: 3134
Citation/Reference Downloads: 29
XML Downloads: 1263

Web Metrics
Days since publication: 3580
Overall contacts: 50296
Avg. contacts per week: 98.34

Article Citations

Article citations are based on data periodically collected from the Clarivate Web of Science web site
(last update: Feb 2023)

Total number of cites (since 2015): 10
Average cites per year: 1.11

(no Plumx Metrics available for this paper)

Publication Metrics

by Dimensions ^©

Articles citing this article

List of the papers citing this article based on CrossRef Cited-by.

(1)

Adegbidi HG, Volk TA, White EH, Abrahamson LP, Briggs RD, Bickelhaupt DH (2001)
Biomass and nutrient removal by willow clones in experimental bio-energy plantations in New York State. Biomass and Bioenergy 20 (6): 399-411.
CrossRef | Gscholar

(2)

Adler A, Verwijst T, Aronsonn P (2005)
Estimation and relevance of bark proportion in a willow stand. Biomass and Bioenergy 29 (2): 102-113.
CrossRef | Gscholar

(3)

Al Afas N, Marron N, Van Dongen S, Laureysens I, Ceulemans R (2008)
Dynamic of biomass production in a poplar coppice culture over three rotations (11 years). Forest Ecology and Management 255 (5-6): 1883-1891.
CrossRef | Gscholar

(4)

Bergante S, Facciotto G, Minotta G (2010)
Identification of the main site factors and management intensity affecting the establishment of Short-Rotation-Coppices (SRC) in Northern Italy through stepwise regression analysis. Central European Journal of Biology 5 (4): 522-530.
CrossRef | Gscholar

(5)

Berthelot A, Ranger J, Gelhaye D (2000)
Nutrient uptake and immobilization in a short-rotation coppice stand of hybrid poplars in north-west France. Forest Ecology and Management 128 (3): 167-179.
CrossRef | Gscholar

(6)

Bilodeau-Gauthie S, Paré D, Messier C, Bélanger N (2011)
Juvenile growth of hybrid poplars on acidic boreal soil determined by environmental effects of soil preparation, vegetation control, and fertilization. Forest Ecology and Management 261 (3): 620-629.
CrossRef | Gscholar

(7)

Blanco-Canqui H (2010)
Energy crops and their implications on soil and environment. Agronomy Journal 102 (2): 403.
CrossRef | Gscholar

(8)

Brown KR, van den Driessche R (2005)
Effects of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization on the growth and nutrition of hybrid poplars on Vancouver Island. New Forests 29 (1): 89-104.
CrossRef | Gscholar

(9)

Ceulemans R, Stettler RF, Hinckley TM, Isebrands JG, Heilman PE (1990)
Crown architecture of Populus clones as determined by branch orientation and branch characteristics. Tree Physiology 7 (1-2-3-4): 157-167.
CrossRef | Gscholar

(10)

Christersson L, Verma K (2006)
Short-rotation forestry - a complement to “conventional” forestry. Unasyslva 223: 34-39.
Online | Gscholar

(11)

Chum H, Faaij A, Moreira J, Berndes G, Dhamija P, Dong H, Gabrielle B, Eng AG, Lucht W, Mapako M, Cerutti OM, Mcintyre T, Minowa T, Pingoud K, Bain R, Chiang R, Dawe D, Heath G, Junginger M, Patel M, Yang J, Warner E, Paré D, Ribeiro SK (2011)
Bioenergy. In: “IPCC Special Report on Renewable Energy Sources and Climate Change Mitigation” (Edenhofer O, Pichs-Madruga R, Sokona Y, Seyboth K, Kadner S, Zwickel T, Eicjmeier P, Hansen G, Schlomer S, Von Stechow C, Matschoss P eds). Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, USA, pp. 1075
CrossRef | Gscholar

(12)

Coyle DR, Coleman MD (2005)
Forest production responses to irrigation and fertilization are not explained by shifts in allocation. Forest Ecology and Management 208 (1-3): 137-152.
CrossRef | Gscholar

(13)

Czapowskyj MM, Safford LO (1993)
Site preparation, fertilization, and 10-year yields of hybrid poplar on a clearcut forest site in eastern Maine, USA. New Forest 7: 331-344.
Online | Gscholar

(14)

Di Matteo G, Sperandio G, Verani S (2012)
Field performance of poplar for bioenergy in southern Europe after two coppicing rotations: effects of clone and planting density. iForest 5 (5): 224-229.
CrossRef | Gscholar

(15)

Dillen SY, Marron N, Sabatti M, Ceulemans R, Bastien C (2009)
Relationship among productivity determinants in two hybrid polar families grown during three years at two contrasting sites. Tree Physiology 29 (8): 975-987.
CrossRef | Gscholar

(16)

Dimitriou I, Rosenqvist H (2011)
Sewage sludge and wastewater fertilization of Short Rotation Coppice (SRC) for increased bioenergy production. Biological and economic potential. Biomass and Bioenergy 35 (2): 835-842.
CrossRef | Gscholar

(17)

Djomo SN, El Kasmioui O, Ceulemans R (2011)
Energy and greenhouse gas balance of bioenergy production from poplar and willow: a review. GCB Bioenergy 3 (3): 181-197.
CrossRef | Gscholar

(18)

El Kasmioui O, Ceulemans R (2012)
Financial analysis of the cultivation of poplar and willow for bioenergy. Biomass and Bioenergy 43: 52-64.
CrossRef | Gscholar

(19)

Erisman JW, Grinsven H, Leip A, Mosier A, Bleeker A (2010)
Nitrogen and biofuels; an overview of the current state of knowledge. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems 86 (2): 211-223.
CrossRef | Gscholar

(20)

Fecondo G, Bucciarelli S, Ercole M, Rizzo G (2010)
Il pioppo dà più biomassa con turno biennale ed irrigato [Enhanced biomass yield of poplar SRC under 2-year rotation cycle with irrigation]. L’Informatore Agrario 32: 27-29. [in Italian]
Gscholar

(21)

Filat M, Chira D, Nica MS, Dogaru M (2010)
First year development of poplar clones in biomass short rotation coppiced experimental cultures. Annals of Forest Research 53: 151-160.
Online | Gscholar

(22)

Guidi W, Piccioni E, Ginanni M, Bonari E (2009)
Bark content estimation in poplar (Populus deltoides) short-rotation coppice in Central Italy. Biomass and Bioenergy 32 (6): 518-524.
CrossRef | Gscholar

(23)

Hansen EA, McLoughlin RA, Pope PE (1988)
Biomass and nitrogen dynamics of hybrid poplars on two different soils: implications for fertilization strategy. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 18 (2): 223-230.
CrossRef | Gscholar

(24)

Heilman P, Norby RJ (1988)
Nutrient cycling and fertility management in temperate short rotation forest systems. Biomass and Bioenergy 14 (4): 361-370.
CrossRef | Gscholar

(25)

Heilman PE, Stettler RF (1986)
Nutritional concerns in selection of black cottonwood and hybrid clones for short rotation. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 16 (4): 860-863.
CrossRef | Gscholar

(26)

Heilman PE, Xie F (1993)
Influence of nitrogen on growth and productivity of short-rotation Populus trichocarpa x Populus deltoides hybrids. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 23 (9): 1863-1869.
CrossRef | Gscholar

(27)

Heller MC, Keoleian GA, Volk TA (2003)
Life cycle assessment of a willow bioenergy cropping system. Biomass and Bioenergy 25 (2): 147-165.
CrossRef | Gscholar

(28)

Hofmann-Schielle C, Jug A, Makeschin F, Rehfuess KE (1999)
Short-rotation plantations of balsam poplars, aspen and willows on former arable land in the Federal Republic of Germany. II. Site-growth relationships. Forest Ecology and Management 121 (1-2): 41-55.
CrossRef | Gscholar

(29)

Jug A, Hofmann-Schielle C, Makeschin F, Rehfuess KE (1999)
Short-rotation plantations of balsam poplars, aspen and willows on former arable land in the Federal Republic of Germany. II. Nutritional status and bioelement export by harvested shoot axes. Forest Ecology and Management 121 (1-2): 67-83.
CrossRef | Gscholar

(30)

Kaltschmitt M, Reinhardt GA (1997)
Nachwachsende Energietrager - Grundlagen, Verfahren, Ökologische Bilanzierung [Biofuels: Basics, processes, ecological balances]. Vieweg, Braunschweig, Wiesbaden, Germany, pp. 527. [in German]
Gscholar

(31)

Klasnja B, Kopitovic S, Orlovic S (2002)
Wood and bark of some poplar and willow clones as fuelwood. Biomass and Bioenergy 23 (6): 427-432.
CrossRef | Gscholar

(32)

Kottek MJ, Grieser C, Beck B, Rudolf C, Rubel F (2006)
World Map of the Köppen-Geiger climate classification updated. Meteorologische Zeitschrift 15 (3): 259-263.
CrossRef | Gscholar

(33)

Lars R (2002)
Nutrient content in stems of hybrid aspen as affected by tree age and tree size, and nutrient removal with harvest. Biomass and Bioenergy 23 (1): 13-25.
CrossRef | Gscholar

(34)

Laureysens I, Blust R, De Temmerman L, Lemmens C, Ceulemans R (2004)
Clonal variation in heavy metal accumulation and biomass production in a poplar coppice culture. I. Seasonal variation in leaf, wood and bark concentrations. Environmental Pollution 131 (3): 485-494.
CrossRef | Gscholar

(35)

Manzone M, Airoldi G, Balsari P (2009)
Energetic and economic evaluation of a poplar cultivation for the biomass production in Italy. Biomass and Bioenergy 33 (9): 1258-1264.
CrossRef | Gscholar

(36)

Mareschi L, Paris P, Sabatti M, Nardin F, Giovanardi R, Manazzone S, Scarascia Mugnozza G (2005)
Le nuove varietà di pioppo da biomassa garantiscono produttività interessanti [The new poplar varieties for bioenergy guarantee attractive productivity]. L’Informatore Agrario 18: 49-53. [in Italian]
Gscholar

(37)

Maynard DN, Hochmuth GJ (2007)
Knott’s handbook for vegetable growers (5th edn). John Wiley and Sons, Hoboken, NJ, USA, pp. 621.
CrossRef | Gscholar

(38)

Minotta G, Muzzi E (2007)
Indagini su cedui di pioppo a turno breve nella pianura ferrarese [Researches on Short Rotation Forestry with poplar in the South-Eastern part of the Po Valley (Italy)]. L’Italia Forestale e Montana 5/6: 411-419. [in Italian]
Gscholar

(39)

Paris P, Mareschi L, Sabatti M, Breccia L, De Luca S, Tarchi M, Ecosse A, Scarascia Mugnozza G (2006)
Asportazioni di azoto con la raccolta di biomassa [Removal of Nitrogen with biomass harvesting in poplar SRC plantations]. Linea Ecologica 4: 2-8. [in Italian]
Gscholar

(40)

Paris P, Mareschi L, Ecosse A, Pisanelli A, Sabatti M, Scarascia Mugnozza G (2011)
Comparing hybrid Populus clones for SRF across northern italy after two biennial rotations: survival, growth and yield. Biomass and Bioenergy 35 (4): 1524-1532.
CrossRef | Gscholar

(41)

Pistocchi C, Guidi W, Piccioni E, Bonari E (2009)
Water requirements of poplar and willow vegetation filters grown in lysimeter under Mediterranean conditions: Results of the second rotation. Desalination 246 (1-3): 137-146.
CrossRef | Gscholar

(42)

Rae AM, Robinson KM, Street NR, Taylor G (2004)
Morphological and physiological traits influencing biomass productivity in short-rotation coppice poplar. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 34 (7): 1488-1498.
CrossRef | Gscholar

(43)

Rosenquist H, Dawson M (2005)
Economics of using wastewater irrigation of willow in Northern Ireland. Biomass and Bioenergy 29 (2): 83-92.
CrossRef | Gscholar

(44)

Sabatti M, Fabbrini F, Harfouche A, Beritognolo I, Mareschi L, Carlini M, Paris P, Scarascia-Mugnozza G (2014)
Evaluation of biomass production potential and heating value of hybrid poplar genotypes in a short-rotation culture in Italy. Industrial Crops and Products 61: 62-73.
CrossRef | Gscholar

(45)

Safou-Matondo R, Deleporte P, Laclau J, Bouillet J (2005)
Hybrid and clonal variability of nutrient content and nutrient use efficiency in Eucalyptus stands in Congo. Forest Ecology and Management 210 (1-3): 193-204.
CrossRef | Gscholar

(46)

Scarascia-Mugnozza GE, Ceulemans R, Heilman PE, Isebrands JG, Stettler RF, Hinckley TM (1997)
Production physiology and morphology of Populus species and their hybrids grown under short rotation. II. Biomass components and harvest index of hybrid and parental species clones. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 27 (3): 285-294.
CrossRef | Gscholar

(47)

Scharlemann JPW, Laurance WF (2008)
How green are biofuels? Science 319 (5859): 43-44.
CrossRef | Gscholar

(48)

Scholz V, Ellerbrock R (2002)
The growth productivity, and environmental impact of the cultivation of energy crops on sandy soil in Germany. Biomass and Bioenergy 23 (2): 81-92.
CrossRef | Gscholar

(49)

Sixto H, Salvia J, Barrio M, Ciria MP, Cañellas X (2010)
Genetic variation and genotype-environment interactions in short rotation Populus plantations in southern Europe. New Forests 42 (2): 163-177.
CrossRef | Gscholar

(50)

Tharakan PJ, Robinson DJ, Abrahamson CA, Nowak CA (2001)
Multivariate approach for integrated evaluation of clonal biomass production potential. Biomass and Bioenergy 21 (4): 237-247.
CrossRef | Gscholar

(51)

Tharakan PJ, Volk TA, Nowak CA, Abrahamson CA (2005)
Morphological traits of 3 willow clones and their relationship to biomass production. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 35 (2): 421-431.
CrossRef | Gscholar

(52)

Tzanakakisa VA, Paranychianakisb NV, Angelakis AN (2009)
Nutrient removal and biomass production in land treatment systems receiving domestic effluent. Ecological Engineering 35 (10): 1485-1492.
CrossRef | Gscholar

(53)

Van Miegroet H, Norby RJ, Tschaplinski TJ (1994)
Nitrogen fertilization strategies in a short-rotation sycamore plantation. Forest Ecology and Management 64 (1): 13-24.
CrossRef | Gscholar

(54)

Vitousek PM (1982)
Nutrient cycling and nutrient use efficiency. The American Naturalist 119 (4): 553.
Online | Gscholar

(55)

Zelezink JD (2007)
Effects of apical meristem loss on sylleptic branching and growth of hybrid poplar. Biomass and Bioenergy 31 (7): 453-459.
CrossRef | Gscholar

iForest - Biogeosciences and Forestry

Contents

Search

Journal Info

Journal Subjects and Fields

For Authors

For Reviewers

For Readers

SISEF Publishing

Search iForest Contents