2012 Volume 91 Issue 10 Pages 948-953
The above-ground biomass yield of willow (Salix spp.) clones selected in the previous study was evaluated after two-growing seasons in Tohoku and Kinki regions, which had annual mean temperatures of 11°C and 15°C, respectively. In both regions, the S. pet-susu Kimura clone KKD exhibited more vigorous growth than the other three clones (S. pet-susu Kimura clone HB471, S. sachalinensis Fr. Schm. clone SEN and S. psuedolinearis Nasarov clone FXM), and its above-ground biomass yield per unit area was largest among four clones tested. In the Kinki region, KKD had an above-ground biomass yield of 26.8 tDM ha-1 two years after planting, suggesting that KKD could attain an acceptable yield even in two years. The root distribution pattern of KKD was an inverted-cone shape, whereas that of SEN and FXM a disk-like shape. Moreover, KKD had more sinker roots. We estimate that such a characteristic root morphology of KKD is closely related to its high biomass productivity.
