title: Yield and spatial supply of bioenergy poplar and willow short-rotation coppice in the UK.
abstract: Limited information on likely supply and spatial yield of bioenergy crops exists for the UK. Here, productivities are reported of poplar (Populus spp.) and willow (Salix spp.) grown as short-rotation coppice (SRC), using data from a large 49-site yield trial network. A partial least-squares regression technique was used to upscale actual field trial observations across England and Wales. Spatial productivity was then assessed under different land-use scenarios. Mean modelled yields ranged between 4.9 and 10.7 oven-dry tonnes (odt) ha(-1) yr(-1). Yields were generally higher in willow than in poplar, reflecting the susceptibility of older poplar genotypes to rust and their tendency for single stem dominance. Replacing 10% of arable land, 20% of improved grassland and 100% of set-aside grassland in England and Wales with the three most productive genotypes would yield 13 Modt of biomass annually (supplying 7% of UK electricity production or 48% of UK combined heat and power (CHP) production). Results show existing SRC genotypes have the immediate potential to be an important component of a mixed portfolio of renewables and that, in future, as new and improved genotypes become available, higher yields could extend this potential further.
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Bassett Crescent East SO16 7PX, UK.
authors.forename: Matthew J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Aylott
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Bassett Crescent East SO16 7PX, UK.|Forest Research, Alice Holt Lodge, Farnham, Surrey GU10 4LH, UK.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Casella
authors.affiliation: Forest Research, Alice Holt Lodge, Farnham, Surrey GU10 4LH, UK.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Tubby
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Bassett Crescent East SO16 7PX, UK.
authors.forename: N R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Street
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Cruickshank Building, St Machar Drive, Aberdeen AB24 3UU, UK.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Bassett Crescent East SO16 7PX, UK.
authors.forename: Gail
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Taylor
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture; D003246:Conservation of Energy Resources; D008954:Models, Biological; D032107:Populus / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development*; D032108:Salix / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development*; D006113:United Kingdom