Comparing biomass yields of various willow cultivars in short rotation coppice over six growing seasons across a broad climatic gradient in eastern Canada

The current context of ecological transition and the fight against climate change have revived interest in short-rotation coppiced (SCR) of woody crops for bioenergy or bioproduct purposes. In order to determine the growth and yield potential of different willow cultivars, plantations were established in five regions of Quebec (Canada) across a wide climatic gradient. The present study compares results obtained after six years of cultivation at two coppicing frequencies (two and three years). Although annual yields approaching 20 tons per hectare have been recorded at several of the study sites, little difference in the productivity of the tested cultivars was found, except for S. viminalis ‘5027’, which was generally less productive. Overall productivity was weakest at La Morandière, the northernmost site. Neither frequency of coppicing lead to a difference in yields. At La Pocatière, one of the coldest regions in this study, yields of cultivars were comparable to those recorded at the southern-most sites. Moreover, the highest cumulative yield after six years was recorded at that site with the cultivar ‘SV1’. The fact that yields at most sites remain high after several years is indicative of the production potential of willow crops in SRC for Eastern Canada.