A network of 49 field experiments was established to investigate the effect of site variables, such as soil type and rainfall, on the biomass production of several SRC varieties. 2 additional sites were established to investigate SRC Physiology, and one site (Wishanger) was carried over from an older experiment. Five experiment types were used:
- Extensive (Pure)
- Extensive (Mixture)
- Intensive
- Physiology
- Wishanger (crop spacing)
Extensive (Pure)
These 28 experiments provide modellers with information on how monoclonal plots of 6 SRC varieties perform on different site types. Information collected from these sites is used to create empirical yield models for each variety.
Extensive (Mixture)
These 14 experiments investigate differences in yield between monoclonal plots of 6 SRC varieties and 'mixture' plots containing row by row mixtures of either 3 willow or 3 poplar varieties.
Intensive
These 7 larger experiments provide information on how a broader range of SRC varieties perform on different site types. 32 varieties are present at the Intensive sites including the 6 varieties used in the Extensive experiments. Data are used to adapt empirical yield models to estimate biomass production of the increased range of varieties.
Physiology
These 2 nursery experiments investigate the physiology of the 3 willow and 3 poplar SRC varieties.
Wishanger (spacing)
This experiment investigates the effect of planting density on yield and provide baseline data for the development of a non-destructive yield assessment methodology.
What's of interest
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