Mick O Neill, Rick Arnold, Rob Heyduck, Kevin Lombard, and Dan Smeal New Mexico State University Agricultural Science Center at Farmington

Transcription

1 Mick O Neill, Rick Arnold, Rob Heyduck, Kevin Lombard, and Dan Smeal New Mexico State University Agricultural Science Center at Farmington

2 Increased interest in on-farm plantations and agroforestry Array of products Fiber for excelsior Soil conservation blankets & rolls Peeler logs for pulp, plywood, and building material Bioenergy feedstock for direct combustion or cellulosic conversion

3 Mostly in rainfed regions Canada Pacific Northwest of the US North Central Region Mississippi Valley Atlantic Northeast (8,1 ha) (4, ha) (1,125 ha) (11,35 ha) (6,9 ha) Drip-irrigated in arid/semi-arid regions Pacific Northwest Southwest high deserts (14, ha) On-going research

4 Navajo Agricultural Products Industry (NAPI) 35, ha irrigated farm 4, ha of rectangular fields suitable for rehabilitation and productive use Drip irrigation fits nicely in rectangular spaces Initiated subsurface drip (SDI) on agronomic crops Two onsite NAPI employees to learn SDI Devastated by tube leeks caused by gophers Looking for alternative

5 Discussions of tree plantations for wind control and soil conservation Met with representatives from Western Excelsior in Manos, Colorado Harvest permits harder to get from National Forest Service Increase in Sudden Aspen Decline (SAD) Expressed interest in long term sustainable source of raw material Estimated hybrid poplar could meet 5% of requirements Would like a 25-cm tree in 1 years

6 Required a windbreak on west side of agronomic subsurface drip research site Obtained clone recommendations from poplar researchers in the western United States, principally from the Pacific Northwest Included OP-367 (P. deltoides x P. nigra) Originated from material owned by Oxford Paper Company sometime in the mid to late 193s Germplasm from NE USA x Southern Italy Established first trial at NMSU in April 22 Ten clones with 3 replications Cuttings planted at 3 x 3 m spacing Surface drip irrigation

7 Boardman, OR Northern extent Farmington, NM Southern extent Similar conditions Edaphic: elevated ph and carbonate Precipitation: < 25 mm Avg Dec Min Temp: -4.9 C Avg Jul Max Temp: 28.3 C GWR Boardman, OR NMSU ASC Farmington

8 GWR Boardman, OR NMSU ASC Farmington Collaboration with Oregon State University Malheur Agricultural Experiment Station Approximate southern and northern limit of the western US Intermountain Region Similar environment and soil characteristics Approximating a biofuel production system 2 clones planted at 1.5 x 1.5 m spacing Visited Potlatch in Boardman, OR

9 Collaboration with NAPI for large plantation Combined research & production installation 44 ha in Field 4-23B 3.7 m spacing Irrigation system design and installation by Rain Bird 5 clones OP-367 7% % % DN-34 5% %

10 Collaboration with GreenWood Resources Biofuel production trial 65 clones planted at 1.8 x 1.8 m spacing Collaboration with Albuquerque Wastewater Treatment Unit Resolution of chlorosis issues 1 clone (OP-367) with 4 nutrient trts 22.5 Mg/ha, 45. Mg/ha, Fe-chelate, Control 3.7 x 3.7 m spacing

11 Second large NAPI plantation 44 ha in Field 3-8A Irrigation system modifications by an Oregon company OP-367 1% 3.7 x 3.7 m spacing planted in August

12 Replanted plantation in NAPI Field 3-8A Monitored growth in NAPI Field 4-23B Differential water app. trial 4 clones from GWR 25 trial OP-367, 544, 91, water application trts 7%, 8%, 12%, 13% of replacement requirement (ETc)

13 Diameter (mm) Height (m) DBH Tree Height OP Mean OP Mean

14 Wood Volume (m 3 /ha) Total Wood Volume OP Mean

15 8 Aug 2 Aug 1 Sep 13 Sep 25 Sep 7 Oct 19 Oct 31 Oct 12 Nov 24 Nov 6 Dec 18 Dec 3 Dec 11 Jan 23 Jan 4 Feb 16 Feb 28 Feb 12 Mar 24 Mar 5 Apr 17 Apr 29 Apr 11 May 23 May 4 Jun 16 Jun 28 Jun 1 Jul 22 Jul 3 Aug 15 Aug 27 Aug 8 Sep 2 Sep 2 Oct Radial Trunk Growth at DBH (mm) day/season Growth1 Growth3 Growth4 Growth5 Growth6 Growth7 Growth8 Growth9.

16 Lines Slope Line1.62 Line3.47 Line4.6 Line5.64 Line6.5 Line7.41 Line8.51 Line9.51 Mean.53.53mm/hr * 24hr/day * 138day/season = 17.6mm/season Diff r = 17.6 mm/season (cm) (cm) (cm) DBH = 2r = 35.2 mm/season Tree cm/season Tree Tree Tree Tree Tree Tree Tree Tree Mean

17 Wood Volume (m 3 /ha) 35 Total Wood Volume OP Mean

18 Diameter (mm) Biomass (Mg/ha) DBH Total Biomass OP Mean OP Mean

19 Diameter (mm) Height (m) DBH and Height DBH Height

20 Diameter (mm) Height (m) DBH Tree Height OP OP

21 Volume (m 3 /ha) 25 Total Wood Volume OP

22 WUE (m 3 /cm/ha) Water Use Efficiency 7% ET 8% ET 12% ET 13% ET OP

23 Hybrid poplar adapted to region OP-367 consistently high yielder High potential with other clones Interested parties for a joint venture NAPI land and water WEx sustainable source of raw material GRW management experience and germplasm NMSU research capabilities Light at the end of the tunnel