IMPROVEMENT OF TECHNOLOGICAL METHODS FOR GROWING ENERGY WILLOW IN THE WESTERN FOREST-STEPPE OF UKRAINE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32636/agroscience.2026-(5)-1-5Keywords:
energy willow cuttings, biomass, biofuel, cultivation technology elements, biomass productivityAbstract
Research has shown that covering plants with soil during the first year of vegetation can effectively control weed growth and increase biomass yield. The results of field studies on improving the technological methods of growing energy willow (Salix) in the Western Forest-Steppe zone of Ukraine are presented. The studies were carried out during 2022-2024 on experimental plots of the Western Ukrainian National University located in a zone of unstable moisture. The weather conditions during the years of research, in terms of deviation from the long-term average data for both individual locations and the growing season, were within the range typical for the zone of unstable moisture in the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. The aim of the research was to evaluate the effectiveness of inter-row cultivation with soil covering of plants in the first year of vegetation as an effective operation for weed control and a factor in increasing the productivity of energy willow stem biomass. The study was conducted on two types of energy willow: Prutovydna “Zbruch” (S. viminalis L.) and Trytychynkova (Salix triandra L.). As a result of applying the improved method of inter-row soil cultivation, it was established that the proposed agrotechnical technique improves the survival rate of cuttings and stimulates the development of the root system, making it possible to effectively control the number of weeds in the row zone, which increases survival rates and stimulates plant growth. The Zbruch variety of willow showed higher biological plasticity and a more pronounced positive response to the improved care element compared to the trichotoma willow, which is due to more intensive initial growth and root formation ability. The use of improved care elements compared to traditional technology contributes to a 25% increase in stem biomass yield
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