The growth dynamics of willows due to the use of various agricultural techniques
Based on the analysis of growth dynamics for a two-year period, an assessment of the prospects of fast-growing willow specimens in the collection of the Botanical Garden for plantation cultivation for various purposes in the Middle Urals is given. The two-year observation of the growth of twenty different specimens of species and hybrid willows grown on alluvial swamp silt-peat soils with a close occurrence of groundwater showed that successful cultivation of plantation willows in such areas in the Middle Urals is possible. It has been established that covering soil with non-woven material “spunbond” has a positive effect on the development and growth of rooted cuttings in the first and second year of cultivation. Comparing the percentage increase in growth over two years, in twelve specimens out of sixteen, the percentage increase in growth was higher in the variant using covering material. Three willow specimens at the age of two showed the maximum average height of S. Sven - 4.09 m, S. schwerinii - 3.33 m and S. viminalis × schwerinii - 3.22 m. In the second year, the mark of 2.5 m exceeded S. Record No. 4, S. rorida, S. × fragilis, S. Record No. 2. The smallest results in average height (not exceeding 1.5 m) were shown by the following specimens - S. caspica, S. triandra, S. ledebouriana, S. eriocephala Russeliana, S. gmelinii, S. Tobolskya Pyramidalnya. Thus, S. schwerinii and its hybrids S. ‘Sven’ and S. viminalis × schwerinii proved to be the fastest growing in the first two years. These specimens can be recommended as fast-growing willows for plantation cultivation on biomass or for laying windbreaks.