Nutrients and growth relations in short-rotation forestry

Abstract

Ongoing research into the nutrient and water relations in short-rotation forestry within the International Energy Agency (IEA) Bioenergy Agreement participating countries is discussed. The physiological and forestry approaches to tree nutrition are discussed in relation to a practical solution to fertiliser prescriptions. Coppice stool physiology is identified as the main unknown in the system and is thought to be the key to the future management regimes for short-rotation coppice production.