Influence of Soil Characteristics on the Growth of Poplar Short Rotation Coppice (SRC) under Suboptimal Conditions

Abstract

Several studies have discussed the growth of poplar short rotation coppices (SRC). Soil characteristics have a large effect on the yields of sites with no access to surplus water sources – especially on their physical and chemical properties contributing to water storage, all of which limit growth. We conducted our research on a fourth rotation plantation established with two different poplar clones (‘AF2’ and ‘Kopecky’) on a site without groundwater in the rooting zone to describe the influence of topography and soil parameters on biomass production. For both hybrids, 5–5 sample areas were planted. Systematic soil sampling, a tree inventory, and a destructive tree survey were completed to provide an equation of site and clone specific biomass estimation. Our results revealed that the shallower, eroded areas presented low-yield patches, particularly when compared to the parts with deeper rooting zones and soil richer in mineral and organic colloids. The amount of the plant available water, pH value, organic matter content, and CaCO3 content have the most significant effect on growth. No meaningful growth difference emerged between the two clones. The previously mentioned soil properties greatly influence tree growth on sites with no direct access to the groundwater; therefore, a detailed site description is indispensable for plantation planting.