Effects of Cutting Density on Growth, Yield and Quality of Poplar Clone Seedlings

In order to identify the optimum cutting density for producing the highest number of plantable seedlings of poplar clones, a split-plot randomized block design was used to establish four cutting densities in plots. Based on data on the survival, leaf area, seedling height, caliper, and biomass of 1-year-old seedlings of clones Nanlin-95, Nanlin-895, Nanlin-1388 and NL-80351, the growth characteristics and seedling quality under four cutting densities were analyzed. Results indicated that the leaf area, stem and leaf biomass, and caliper of seedlings of all four poplar clones increased with the decrease in cutting density. Leaf area index reached its highest level at the spacing of 40 cm×40 cm, while the aboveground biomass of the seedling on an area basis increased as the cutting density increased. Seedling quality at low cutting density was higher than that at closer cutting density. The quantity of first-grade seedlings (grade I) for clones Nanlin-95 and Nanlin-895 was achieved at the spacing of 40 cm×50 cm; for NL-1388 and NL-80351, it was 50 cm×50 cm. According to the seedling quality and the number of plantable seedlings produced, the suggested cutting density for these four poplar clones was 50,000 stems/hm².     

湖南第2代杉木幼林的水文学过程及养分动态研究

采用小集水区技术和定位研究方法 ,根据连续 3a观测所取得的数据 ,对湖南会同第 2代杉木幼林的水量平衡和养分元素的地球化学循环进行了研究。结果表明 :该森林生态系统年降雨输入为 1170 6mm ,其中 3 5 3mm以树干茎流形式进入林地 ,占降雨量的 0 3% ,林内穿透水为 10 17 3mm ,占 86 9% ,另外林冠年截留量为 149 77mm ,占年降雨量的 12 8%。以径流形式流出该系统的水量为 42 8 0 5mm ,占年降雨量的 36 5 7% ,其中地表径流和地下径流分别占总径流的 4 31%和 95 6 9%。系统另一输出形式蒸散量为 86 2 6 4mm ,为年降雨量的 6 2 2 %。在该森林生态系统中 ,由降雨输入的N、P、K、Ca、Mg等元素的总量为 5 3 173kg·hm- 2 ·a- 1 ,径流输出量为 42 5 6 3kg·hm- 2 ·a- 1 ,净积累量为 10 6 10kg·hm- 2 ·a- 1 。与稳定态的第 1代杉木林相比 ,第 2代杉木幼林的林冠截留量成倍减少 ,地表径流、地下径流量和径流总量都高于第 1代杉木林 ,其涵养水源的能力相对较弱 ,抵抗外界干扰的能力比稳定态的第 1代杉木林差。从生物循环来看 ,第 2代杉木幼林的养分存留量大 ,表明第 2代杉木幼林将从土壤中吸收的养分大量地保存在林木中 ,造成土壤中养分的逐渐减少 ,维持持久的林地生产力应引起重视。第 2代杉木幼林     

Structure and Function of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Populus deltoides</Emphasis> Agroforestry Systems in Eastern India: 2. <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nutrient dynamics</Emphasis>

Nutrient concentrations in plant and soil and their rates of cycling in poplar (Populus deltoides)-based agroforestry systems were studied at Pusa, Bihar, India. The nutrient concentrations in the standing biomass of the crop were more than those in tree, whereas the nutrient contents showed the reverse trend. Soil, litter and vegetation accounted for 80.3–99.5, 0.1–5.0 and 0.4–14.7%, respectively, of the total nutrients in the system. Considerable reduction (40–54%) in concentration of nutrients in leaves occurred during senescence. The uptake of nutrients by vegetation, and also by different components with and without adjustment for internal recycling, were calculated separately. Annual transfer of litter nutrient to the soil by vegetation was 37.3–146.2 N, 5.6–17.9 P and 25.0–66.3 K kg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ in young (3-year-old) and mature (9-year-old) plantations. Turnover rate and time for different nutrients ranged between 0.86–0.99 year⁻¹ and 1.01–1.16 years, respectively. Compartmental models for nutrient dynamics have been developed to represent the distribution of nutrient contents and net annual fluxes within the system. This study shows that the poplar-based agroforestry system can be sustainable in terms of soil nutrient status.     

Nutrient cycling and distribution in different-aged plantations of Chinese fir in southern China

The distribution in tree biomass and understorey vegetation and annual biological and geochemical cycling of total nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) were measured in young, middle-aged and mature plantations (8-, 14- and 24-years old) of Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook.) in southern China. Although >98% of nutrients occurred in the soil, soil nutrient content decreased with plantation age. Nutrient outputs from the soil exceeded inputs in stands of all ages but the net soil nutrient loss increased significantly for N, P and Ca with plantation age. Comparison of nutrient fluxes showed that the smallest (and hence limiting for nutrient cycling) fluxes were litter decomposition in the young plantation in contrast to canopy fluxes (apart from for Mg) in the middle-aged and mature plantations. Nutrient use efficiency, release of nutrients from litter decomposition and nutrient return, particularly in litterfall, increased significantly with plantation age. These results suggest that, as stand age increases, nutrient cycling in Chinese fir plantations is increasingly dominated by biological processes and becomes less dependent on external nutrient sources in rainfall and the soil. It therefore appears that prolonging the rotation length of Chinese fir plantations by approximately 5 years could be beneficial for maintaining the soil nutrient status for successive plantings.     

Biomass production,nutrient cycling and distribution in age-sequence Chinese fir(Cunninghamia lanceolate) plantations in subtropical China

Biomass production and nutrient(N, P, K, Ca and Mg) accumulation, distribution and cycling were quantified in young, mature and over-mature(10-, 22-, and34-year old) Chinese fir [Cunninghamia lanceolate(Lamb.) Hook] plantations in southern China. Total stand biomass of young, mature and over-mature stands was 38,104 and 138 t ha-1respectively. Biomass production increased significantly with age. Stem wood represented the highest percentage of stand biomass, accounting for 41,55 and 63 % in the young, mature and over-mature plantations respectively. Nutrients concentration was highest in live needles and branches, and lowest in stem wood. The plantations accumulated more N, followed by K, Ca, Mg,and P. Nutrient return amount, nutrient utilization efficiency, nutrient turnover time, the ratio of nutrient returnand uptake increased with stand age, which implies that young Chinese fir deplete soil nutrients to maintain growth,and efficiently utilize nutrients to decrease dependence on soil nutrients as they age. Harvesting young Chinese fir plantations would therefore lead to high nutrient loss, but prolonging the rotation length could improve soil recovery,and help sustain productivity in the long-term. Improved nutrient return through litterfall as stands get older may also be beneficial to nutrient pool recovery.     

Biomass production,nutrient cycling and distribution in age-sequence Chinese fir (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cunninghamia lanceolate</Emphasis>) plantations in subtropical China

Biomass production and nutrient (N, P, K, Ca and Mg) accumulation, distribution and cycling were quantified in young, mature and over-mature (10-, 22-, and 34-year old) Chinese fir [Cunninghamia lanceolate (Lamb.) Hook] plantations in southern China. Total stand biomass of young, mature and over-mature stands was 38, 104 and 138 t ha^?1 respectively. Biomass production increased significantly with age. Stem wood represented the highest percentage of stand biomass, accounting for 41, 55 and 63 % in the young, mature and over-mature plantations respectively. Nutrients concentration was highest in live needles and branches, and lowest in stem wood. The plantations accumulated more N, followed by K, Ca, Mg, and P. Nutrient return amount, nutrient utilization efficiency, nutrient turnover time, the ratio of nutrient return and uptake increased with stand age, which implies that young Chinese fir deplete soil nutrients to maintain growth, and efficiently utilize nutrients to decrease dependence on soil nutrients as they age. Harvesting young Chinese fir plantations would therefore lead to high nutrient loss, but prolonging the rotation length could improve soil recovery, and help sustain productivity in the long-term. Improved nutrient return through litterfall as stands get older may also be beneficial to nutrient pool recovery.     

Export of Nutrients in Plant Biomass Following Harvest of Eucalypt Plantations in Kerala,India

Abstract

Pools of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) were examined in the soil and above-ground plant biomass at the end of a 7 year rotation at two E. tereticornis lowland sites and two E. grandis highland sites in Kerala, India. Potential export rates of these nutrients were also examined for different biomass removal scenarios from the plantations. Pools of nutrients were measured in the above-ground components of the tree crop, forest floor and understorey, and in soil down to 1 m depth. At harvest, large quantities of biomass and nutrients are removed from eucalypt plantation sites, with the quantities of nutrients exported unlikely to be replaced through natural atmospheric and weathering inputs. Between 24 Mg ha^-1 and 115 Mg ha^-1 of biomass was exported in stem wood across the sites, and this increased to 40-145 Mg ha^-1 in scenarios where all of the branches, bark and understorey were also exported. Stem wood had the lowest concentration of nutrients and had a relatively low export of nutrient per kg of biomass. On average, 54 kg, 12 kg and 65 kg of N, P and K were removed per hectare in stem wood only, equivalent to 0.46%, 0.17%, and 6.7%, respectively, of above- and below-ground (to 1 m depth) site pools. Export increased to 194 kg, 30 kg, and 220 kg of N, P and K per hectare if the branches, bark and understorey were also removed (equivalent to 1.6%, 0.5% and 24.7% of above- and below-ground site pools down to 1 m depth). Export of Ca and Mg was also high, with an average of 88 kg and 11 kg of Ca and Mg removed per hectare if only the stem wood was taken (3.12% and 1.34% of total above-ground and exchangeable below-ground to 1 m depth), increasing to 501 kg ha^-1 and 66 kg ha^-1 if the branches, bark and understorey were also removed (21.7% and 11.3% of total above-ground and available below-ground to 1 m depth). Removals of this magnitude represent a significant proportion of site nutrient pools and have the potential to reduce future plantation productivity unless steps are taken to promote retention of biomass and nutrients on site and/or replacement of nutrients through fertilizer application.     

轮伐期对杉木人工林地力维护的影响

通过对全国杉木中心产区不同发育阶段杉木人工林生长及生物量的调查,研究轮伐期对杉木人工林生物量及养分分布规律的影响,结果表明：不同轮伐期经营的杉木林林分生物量及其养分分配规律存在差异,随年龄阶段的提高,杉木枝、叶、根、边材及林冠所占比例逐年下降,干、皮和心材比例逐年增加,边材／心材及林冠／树干比例下降,轮伐期越短,每采伐单位杉木干物质所带走的养分越多,对地力的消耗越严重;同时短轮伐期还造成采伐、炼山     

Biomass and nutrient accumulation in pure and mixed plantations of indigenous tree species grown on poor soils in the humid tropics of Costa Rica

Aboveground biomass and nutrients and soil chemical characteristics were examined in young plantations of four indigenous tree species: Hieronyma alchorneoides, Vochysia ferruginea, Pithecellobium elegans, and Genipa americana, growing in mixed and pure stands at La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica. Total tree biomass production rates ranged from about 5.2 Mg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ for G. americana to 10.3 Mg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ for H. alchorneoides pure stands, and for the species mixture it was about 8.9 Mg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹. Branches and foliage formed 25–35% of total tree biomass but they represented about 50% of total tree nutrients. H. alchorneoides, the four species mixture, and P. elegans had the greatest accumulations of total aboveground nutrients per hectare. The importance of the plantation floor as a nutrient compartment varied temporally. When forest floor litter biomass was at its peak, plantation floor litter N, Ca, and Mg were roughly equal to, or greater than stem nutrients for all species except for P. elegans. For P. elegans, the plantation floor consistently represented a very low proportion of total aboveground nutrients. G. americana and V. ferruginea trees showed 55–60% less biomass accumulation in mixed than in pure stands while H. alchorneoides and P. elegans trees grew 40–50% more rapidly in mixture. P. elegans foliage had 60% lower Ca but higher P concentrations in mixed than in pure stands, and G. americana had higher foliar Mg in mixed than in pure stands. V. ferruginea stands had the highest concentrations of soil Ca, Mg, and organic matter, particularly in the top layers. Relative to pure plantations, soil nutrient concentrations in mixed plantations were intermediate for N, P, and K, but lower for Ca and Mg. The results of this study can be used in the selection of tree species and harvest designs to favor productivity and nutrient conservation.     

Decomposition and nutrient release of four potential mulching materials for poplar plantations on upland sites

The application of organic residues and the release dynamics of nutrients during decomposition may be crucial to improving poplar growth in upland areas. Field experiments were conducted in Guizhou Province, southwestern China, to determine differences in biomass decomposition of four potential mulching materials in one-year-old poplar plantations. Results showed the initial total content of N, P, K, Ca and Mg in the mulches ranged from 30.0 to 35.0 g/kg and was significantly greater in Quercus fabri, Imperata cylindrica var. major and Pteridium aquilinum var. latiuscukum than in Coriaria nepalensis. The weight loss pattern of these four species during decomposition could be best described by a double exponential decay model, and monthly decay rate coefficients (k) were in the order Q. fabri > C. nepalensis > I. cylindrica > P. aquilinum over a one-year period. Total nutrient (N, P and K) release of the four mulching materials ranged from 74.2 to 90.8% of the initial content after one year of decomposition, while nutrients were released in the order K > P>N. Nutrient release was fastest in C. nepalensis followed by Q. fabri, I. cylindrica, and slowest in P. aquilinum. Thus, taking into account initial nutrient content, nutrient additions and decay rates, the sprouts of woody species (Q. fabri and C. nepalensis) with massive foliage proved to be more important as nitrogen sources than the grass or fern.     

不同立地条件楠木人工林养分研究

通过调查分析福建省顺昌县埔上国有林场不同立地条件、相同经营措施的37年生楠木人工纯林的养分状况,结果表明:楠木人工林生态系统中,除铜元素外,其他各养分元素的平均含量随林分立地质量的下降而减小,Ⅱ类地楠木人工林中生态系统各营养元素的平均含量比Ⅲ类地的高4%(镁)~66%(钾),比Ⅳ类地的高19%(铜)~121%(钙);营养元素的积累量随林分立地质量的下降而显著减小,Ⅱ类地上楠木人工林中大量养分元素的总积累量为1 723.940 kg.hm-2,分别是Ⅲ、Ⅳ类地的1.84倍和3.91倍,微量养分元素的总积累量为58 172.535 kg.hm-2,分别是Ⅲ、Ⅳ类地的2.12倍和3.6倍,楠木对土壤中养分元素的富集能力是不一样的。总的趋势为Mn>N>P>Zn>K>Cu。其中叶对各元素的富集能力较强,干材对各元素的富集能力较弱。     

Steady-state nutrition of hybrid poplar grown from un-rooted cuttings

Fertilizing plantations of fast-growing tree crops, in manners which supply nutrients at rates that match plant demand and maintain stable internal plant nutrient ratios, can maximize biomass production and carbon sequestration while reducing fertilizer wastage and pollution. Our objectives were to determine nutrient ratios of common hybrid poplar (Populus trichocarpa Torr. and Gray × Populus deltoides Marsh.) (T × D) clones under steady-state nutrition, and to determine if incremental additions of fertilizer were more successful than conventional (evenly-split) fertilizer additions in maximizing biomass production and inducing stable nutrient ratios. Un-rooted cuttings of three T × D clones (49–177, DTAC-7, 15–29) were grown under a conventional regime and a modified-exponential fertilization regime at three application rates (1.8, 3.7 or 7.4 g N plant⁻¹). Above- and below-ground biomass and nutrient concentrations were measured after one growing season. There were few differences in total plant biomass between conventional and modified-exponential fertilization regimes, but for one clone, biomass accumulation equivalent to the highest rate under the conventional regime was achieved with the medium rate of the modified-exponential regime. Stable nutrient ratios (at conditions consistent with steady-state nutrition) were: 100N:14P:50K (49–177), 100N:13P:49K (DTAC-7) and 100N:12P:60K (15–29).     

杨树新无性系扦插生根特性的研究

以杨树新无性系ＮＬ－８０１０６、ＮＬ－８０１２１和ＮＬ－８０３５１为材料，从解剖学角度研究其插插生根的机理。结果表明，无性系ＮＬ－８０１０６的生根能力较ＮＬ－８０３５１强；插穗的不定根原基在母株生长早期形成，起源于射线与形成层交叉处；不定根原基的数量随着苗高的增长而增多；但插穗的生根能力与不定根原基的数量关系不大。     

Productivity and nutrient cycling in an agroforestry ecosystem for interplant of pineapple and coconut

lntroductionCoconut(Cocosnucifera)isanimportanteconomicplantinthetropicalareas.Butinthetraditionalcoconutplantation,theroutinespaceintherowsis7.5mX7.5m.Sothefieldareasabout75%werenotefficientlyused.Inrecentyears,Indonesiahasmadegreateffortstodevelopanagroforestrysystemofcoconutinterplantedwithpineapple(Satyabalan1986).Asthepineapplehasacertainamountofshade-resistance,thissystemcannotonlymakefulluseofthesoilresources,butalsogreatlyimprovethebiomassproductivityofthewholesystem.Buttheresearchab…     

不同林分密度楠木人工林生物量初步研究

对福建省顺昌埔上国有林场不同林分密度的37年生楠木人工纯林的生物量及分配进行调查和分析,结果表明:低密度林分(1 500~1 650株.hm-2)楠木单株标准木的平均生物量为56.52 kg.株-1,是高密度林分(2200~2400株.hm-2)的1.39倍。单株标准木各器官的平均生物量均随林分密度的增加而减小;楠木人工林乔木层生物量随林分密度的增加而增大,乔木层总平均生物量在干材中的分配基本不受林分密度的影响(低密度的为53.59%,高密度的为53.72%),在根、皮中的分配比例随林分密度的增大略有增大,而在枝与叶中的分配比例则随密度的增加而下降。各器官生物量均存在干材>根>皮>枝>叶这一规律,其中干材生物量占总物量的比例最大,均超过了50%,最大达到61.11%。     

Hybrid and clonal variability of nutrient content and nutrient use efficiency in Eucalyptus stands in Congo

For 20 years, there has been 42,000 ha estate of clonal Eucalyptus plantations around Pointe-Noire in Congo on sandy soils that have very low reserves of available nutrients. These plantations have been based on a natural hybrid (E. PF1). This hybrid is being replaced by E. urophylla × E. grandis (UG), a more productive hybrid developed by the breeding program of UR2PI. A study of biogeochemical cycles showed that nutrient removal by harvesting is the main nutrient output in the E. PF1 ecosystem. It is therefore important to quantify the nutrient content (NC) in both hybrids to compare corresponding nutrient removal values.

The work dealt with four UG clones and the most planted clone of E. PF1. Twelve trees per clone were sampled at the logging age (8 years) in a clonal test for UG clones and in a nearby stand for E. PF1. Tables were established to predict, from girth at breast height (C_1.30 m), the biomass and nutrient content of stemwood, bark, dead and living branches, leaves, and were applied to the inventory of the different stands to evaluate corresponding biomass, NC and nutrient use efficiency (NUE) on a per-hectare basis.

Total biomass differed between the two hybrids and among UG clones: 109 t ha⁻¹ for E. PF1 and 108–155 t ha⁻¹ for UG clones. In E. PF1 trees, total NC was globally lower for N, K, and Mg, but greater for P and Ca. In stemwood, nitrogen content was similar for both hybrids. By contrast, in UG clones, NC was much lower for P (−72%) and Ca (−40% to −55%). The same trends were observed for NUE: equivalent for both hybrids for N, but higher in UG clones for P (+72%) and Ca (+43% to +59%). A marked variability among clones was observed for K and Mg. UG clones allocated proportionally more nutrients in leaves than E. PF1.

These results show that clones should not be selected only on growth traits but also on NUE and on the concentration of nutrients in tree components removed by harvesting. It will be then possible to limit the cost of fertilising needed to maintain stand growth and soil fertility.     

巴西半干旱地区自然条件和菌根菌接种条件下赤桉和大桉地上生物量营养成分分析(英文)

对巴西米纳斯吉拉斯州北部半干旱地区(15°09’S43°49’W)的赤桉(Eucalyptus camaldulensis)和大桉(Eucalyptus grandis)人工林的地上生物量、营养成分含量和菌根菌定植百分率进行了调查和分析。结果表明,赤按和大桉人工林的总地上生物量分别为33.6Mg·hm-2和153.1Mg·hm-2。赤桉树干、叶子、枝条和树皮的生物量分别占总生物量的64.4%,19.6%,15.4%,0.6%,大桉地上生物量的分配与赤按基本相同。赤桉叶子和枝条的干物质占其总生物量的35%,叶子和枝条中的N,P,K,Ca,Mg,and S的含量分别占总生物量这些营养元素的15.5%,0.7%,12.3%,22.6%,19%,1.4%。树干(包括树皮)中的营养成分累积相对比较低。与赤桉相比,大桉的营养含量变化较小。这2个树种的树干上部含有高浓度的磷,树皮也含有大量的营养物质,尤其是大桉;说明在半干旱地区,立地上脱落的植物性废物对降低树木生产力损失有重要意义。赤桉和大桉都有菌根营养。     

Changes in total carbon and nutrients in soil profiles and accumulation in biomass after a 30-year rotation of Pinus radiata on podzolized sands: Impacts of intensive harvesting on soil resources

A large proportion of plantations of radiata pine (Pinus radiata D. Don) in southern Australia have been established on podzolized coastal sands with low nutrient reserves. Inter-rotational management of the forest floor and harvesting residues has been shown to be critical to maintain the productive capacity of these soils. In 1974 a study was initiated at the end of the first rotation to evaluate the long-term sustainability of fast-growing plantations on these podzolized sands. Growth was measured at 5, 10 and 20 years and prior to clear-felling at age 30. Soil sampling at the end of the first rotation in 1974 was repeated in 2004 prior to clear-felling to determine changes in carbon and nutrients in profiles after 30 years. Forest floor and tree biomass were measured to determine sequestration of carbon and nutrients in mature radiata pine.     

伐根嫁接杨树林根系分布特征

通过对比研究大兴区的伐根嫁接杨树林分和与其地下和地上部分分别相同的植苗造林杨树林分,得出伐根嫁接杨树林根系的特殊分布特征。采用全挖法获取杨树总根量和根型,采用土柱法获取吸收根(细根≤2mm,粗根210mm)。结果表明:伐根嫁接林根系总干重分别是相同地下和地上部分植苗造林的1.83倍和7.38倍;其根系数量多且粗壮,为水平斜生根型,而植苗造林林分为水平根型;伐根嫁接林总细根量和总粗根量分别比两个植苗造林林分提高了86.27%和224.65%,59.06%和65.86%;与植苗造林相比,伐根嫁接林表层的吸收根垂直和水平分布都表现异常,垂直分布中0～10cm土层的细根分布较多,10～20cm土层的分布较少;水平分布中株间0～20cm土层的分布异常多。该结论为伐根嫁接杨树林的生长优势提供了进一步的微观解释。     

Effects of mulching materials on nitrogen mineralization,nitrogen availability and poplar growth on degraded agricultural soil

Nitrogen (N) is usually the most limiting nutrient in degraded agricultural soils and affects the growth and ecological function of poplar (Populus spp.) plantations. We hypothesized that application of organic mulch would improve soil nitrogen availability and increase tree growth, while the quality of mulching materials would alter the supply of essential nutrients. In this study, poplar plantations were established in 2004 and two experiments were established in the field. The fresh above-ground biomass of cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica (L.) P. Beauv.), oak (Quercus fabri Hance), Chinese coriaria (Coriaria nepalensis Wallich) and brackenfern (Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn. var. latiusculum (Desv.) Underw. ex Heller) in the current year was selected as mulching materials, and mulches were annually applied at the rate of 5.0 kg/m² in the N mineralization experiment and 20,000 kg/ha in growth and nutrient availability experiment. Additions of fresh biomass significantly improved annual net N-mineralization estimates and the mulching treatments increased the cumulative N mineralized over the incubation period by 22–30%. However, a significant difference in the cumulative N mineralized was not observed among the mulched treatments, even if the cumulative N mineralized in the treatment mulched with oak (QF) was 5.9, 3.3 and 2.2% greater than that of treatments with brackenfern (PA), Chinese coriaria (CN) and cogongrass (IC), respectively. Application of fresh biomass mulch markedly affected soil available N contents and growth performance of poplar plantations. The mulching treatments with QF, IC, PA and CN increased annual means of available N concentration by 39.0, 29.0, 29.6 and 39.7% respectively. At the end of the fifth growing season, the average height of poplar plantations in treatments mulched with QF, IC, PA and CN was 46.8, 14.9, 42.6 and 57.4% greater than that in Check (CK-no mulch), while mean DBH increased by 35.4, 12.5, 33.3 and 52.1%, respectively. Overall, the productivity was enhanced in mulched plots at the end of the third growing season. Compared with CK, the treatments mulched with QF, IC, PA and CN increased total biomass by 97.4, 96.4, 63.1 and 81.6%, respectively. Based on the results of this study, annual application of 20,000 kg/ha fresh woody biomass would be recommended for soil improvement in young poplar plantations growing on a degraded agricultural soil.