ULMUS PUMILA UNDER IRRIGATE AND RAIN-FED CONTINENTAL CONDITIONS IN THE FIRST YEAR OF GROWTH

摘要

Siberian elm (Ulmus pumila) can be a good alternative for biomass production under dry conditionsin the Mediterranean areas, particularly due to its resistance to graphiosis and the low water requirements. The aimof this study is to describe an experience in regard to the ability of Ulmus pumila for implantation and growthduring the first vegetative period. The research was carried out in Soria, a province in Northern Spain, at an altitudeof 1,000 m above sea level where climate is extreme continental. The soil of the parcels had low contents of organicmatter and nutrients and the elms were established at two different plantation densities (3,333 plants/ha and 6,666plants/ha), under rain-fed and two different irrigation conditions. When the dry weight was studied, significantdifferences were detected between irrigated and rain-fed conditions, however the Spacing in the first year of growthwas not a limiting factor and the weight per plant in different plots was similar. A Mathematic model for relatingthe dry biomass weight with diameter and height was carried out and equations with R-squared between 92 - 94 %were obtained. The most outstanding analytical results were: Ash: 3.2%, Nitrogen: 1.17% and NCV: 18.04 MJ/kgdm.