The effect of irrigation on nitrogen uptake and use efficiency of two willow (Salix spp.) biomass energy varieties.

The article discusses a study which explored the effect of irrigation on the recovery of broadcast 15 nitrogen (N)-labelled fertilizer, applied during the final year of a three-year rotation, by willow varieties Charlie and SV1. It describes a split-split-plot experiment conducted in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Results showed that irrigation increased fertilizer N accumulation by Charlie, but not SV1. Irrigation also increased the N use efficiency (NUE) for both varieties' all plant tissues.