Meteorological and Salix species (S. acutifolia, S. smithiana, S. viminalis) phenological trends in central Italy

Abstract

Plant phenology, through opportune observing and interpreting techniques can be useful to interpret the eventual plant vegetative and reproductive adaptation to climate changes. Some plants of Salix acutifolia Willd., S. smithiana Willd. and S. viminalis L. were considered in a phenological garden in central Italy for analysing their phenological growth stages according to the International gardens network indications during a 10-year period (2008-2017) which allowed us to realize some preliminary trend analyses. The 3 Salix species showed different behaviours in the same cultivation area. S. acutifolia manifested no trend for spring and autumnal phases, S. viminalis presented low significant trends while S. Smithiana was that with the more evident tendencies for all the considered vegetative phases during the study period. The reproductive phase (BBCH 65) showed no significant trend for any Salix species during the study period not being influenced by the different meteorological variables and suggesting that photoperiod in this case may play an important role. The more evident phenological trends were represented for 2 Salix species by the advance of the leaf development during spring and by the progressive delay of the senescence during the last part of the summer, with the fallen leaves phase that was recorded averagely 2 weeks later during the last years of the study period.