BACKGROUND Short rotation coppice willow is a potential lignocellulosic feedstock in the United Kingdom and elsewhere; however, research on optimising willow specifically for bioethanol production has started developing only recently. We have used the feedstock Salix viminalis × Salix schwerinii cultivar 'Olof' in a three-month pot experiment with the aim of modifying cell wall composition and ...

The growth and biomass production by willow (Salix viminalis L.) was studied in lysimeters containing Oxford clay landfill cap soil with different amendments, bulk densities and watering regimes. Three years from planting, stem biomass in well-watered plants was least (0.28 kg plant(-1)) with high bulk density soil (1480 kg m(-3)) and no nutritional amendment but was increased 10-fold (2.53 kg ...

1 Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and microsatellites (simple sequence repeats; SSRs) are useful methods for studying genetic diversity of willow (Salix spp.). AFLP delivers a large number of data points from a single experiment and is a useful method for distinguishing between closely related individuals. SSR markers are very robust tools, and we have identified several markers t...

Engineered levee breaches on the lower Cosumnes River, Central California, create hydrologic and geomorphic conditions necessary to construct dynamic sand splay complexes on the floodplain. Sand splay complexes are composed of a network of main and secondary distributary channels that transport sediment during floods. The main channel is bounded by lateral levees that flank the breach opening. ...

Water use by willow (Salix viminalis L.) was studied in lysimeters containing clay landfill cap and sandy loam soils under different watering and amendment regimes. With plentiful water and amendments, seasonal ET increased annually and was highest in the sandy loam, increasing from 360 l plant(-1) in the establishment year to almost 1200 l plant(-1) in the third year. Seasonal ET was highly co...

The efficacy for phytoremediation of five willow species was tested by experimental copper and cadmium uptake in a greenhouse hydroponic system. Five treatments included two concentrations (5 and 25 microM for each metal) and a control. Metal concentrations in solution as well as solution uptake were monitored. Metal resistance was assessed through effects on the dry weight of roots and shoots....

Due to its fast growth rate and little nursery requirements, willow is largely planted as short rotation coppice species for bioenergy resources in temperate regions. Willow coppices can be easily established by vegetative propagation of cuttings and can remain productive for up to 25 years. In China, diploid species S. leucopithecia and S. erioclada L. are two promising willow species that can...