Time-course foliar dynamics of poplar short rotation plantations under Mediterranean conditions. Responses to different water scenarios

Poplar (Populus spp.) Short Rotation Coppice (SRC) systems are characterized by high short-term biomass pro ductivity and play a key role in promoting employment in rural areas as well as supplying environmental benefits. However, in the context of climate change with expected reduced water availability in the Mediter ranean area, the productivity of these plantations may be seriously limited. In this regard, the aim of this work is to analyse the monthly dynamic responses of relevant variables at foliar level throughout the entire first rotation of a poplar short rotation plantation under two water scenarios: optimal scenario (with irrigation to field capacity (FC)) versus restrictive scenario (with 50% FC irrigation). This data came from 590 trees in a poplar short rotation plantation of the highly productive genotype ‘AF2‘. LAImax values of 2.39, 7.47 and 9.34 were found for the three-year rotation cycle, pointing to significantly lower values after the establishment year under the restrictive water scenario. SLA mean values displayed a downward trend, with 12.25 m2 kg− 1 , 10.82 m2 kg− 1 and 10.47 m2 kg− 1 for years 1, 2 and 3 respectively, no significant differences being observed between water scenarios. NPK foliar concentrations decreased over the rotation, being the values lower under the restrictive scenario. Additionally, the selected genotype, ‘AF2’, displayed tight stomatal control under conditions of water stress, maintaining high photosynthetic levels. The responses observed in this study can potentially be used to better understand the behavior of these var iables which most affect production of poplar plantations in face of climate change.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Fuertes, A, Sixto, H, González, I, Pérez-Cruzado, C, Cañellas, I I., Rodríguez-Soalleiro, R, Oliveira, N
Format:	artículo biblioteca
Language:	English
Published:	Elsevier 2022-02-26
Subjects:	Foliar biomass, Leaf area index, Specific leaf area, Leaf nutrients, Stomatal conductance, Ecophysiological variables,
Online Access:	http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12792/6177 http://hdl.handle.net/10261/289617
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