Technological properties of willow shoots depending on varietal characteristics and fertilization

Abstract

Aims. To investigate the influence of varietal characteristics and fertilization of willow plants of the second cycle of vegetation on the technological qualities of culture shoots. Methods. Laboratory, mathematical and statistical. Results. A regular increase in technological qualities in willow samples at the beginning of vegetation depending on varietal characteristics was not detected in the control – without fertilization, and with fertilizing plants with ammonium nitrate. The use of mineral fertilizers provided a significant increase in individual indicators of both varieties: the cellulose content of the Zbruch variety increased by 2.28 %, ash by 0.75 %, hemicellulose by 0.53 %, these indicators also significantly increased in the Panfilska variety. There was no significant increase in the content of dry matter and lignin, only a tendency for their increase was observed compared to the control of both varieties. At the end of the growing season on October 10, when the growth and development of willow stopped, the indicators of technological qualities were significantly higher compared to the beginning of the growing season, but no significant difference was found depending on the varietal characteristics and the application of ammonium nitrate, only a tendency to increase them was observed. No significant increase in the content of basic nutrients in willow shoots was found during the growing season, both depending on the varietal characteristics and the application of ammonium nitrate, only a tendency to change them was observed. The use of fertilizer contributed to an increase in the content of nitrogen by 5–10 %, phosphorus by 5–0 %, and potassium by 2–6 %, depending on the varietal characteristics. The content of chlorine and sulfur almost did not change depending on both the varietal characteristics and the application of fertilizers. At the end of the growing season, when the growth and development of willow stopped, the content of chemical elements was higher compared to the beginning of the growing season, except for the amount of sulfur, the content of which did not change, which is positive, since the increase in sulfur contributes to the increase in the formation of sulfur dioxide during the combustion of shoots or their grafts, which interacts with water vapor in the atmosphere, resulting in the formation of sulfuric acid, which negatively affects the environment. Conclusions. No regular increase in technological qualities and the content of basic nutrients in willow shoots at the beginning and end of the growing season was established, depending on the varietal characteristics both in the control – without fertilization, and with fertilizing plants with ammonium nitrate. The use of mineral fertilizers provided a significant increase in ash, cellulose and hemicellulose in willow wood.