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"A sustainable disease control strategy as pathogen pressures on SRC willow increase, due to climate change and lar

"A sustainable disease control strategy as pathogen pressures on SRC willow increase, due to climate change and larger areas of planting.". Alistair R. McCracken Applied Plant Science & Biometrics Division, AFBI. Ireland’s energy needs. Ireland imports > 91% energy

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"A sustainable disease control strategy as pathogen pressures on SRC willow increase, due to climate change and lar

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  1. "A sustainable disease control strategy as pathogen pressures on SRC willow increase, due to climate change and larger areas of planting." Alistair R. McCracken Applied Plant Science & Biometrics Division, AFBI

  2. Ireland’s energy needs • Ireland imports > 91% energy • Fossil fuels account for 96% of all energy used • Renewable energy grew by 15% in 2006 (mainly due to wind)

  3. Trends in energy supply (SEI)

  4. Biomass (energy crops + forestry)) • Currently making a small contribution • Has significant potential • Government incentives • Issues of supply chain

  5. Short Rotation Coppice (SRC) willow 2008 • Northern Ireland ~ 950 ha • Republic of Ireland ~ 200 ha

  6. Stephens Croft wood burning power plant (44MWe), Lockerbie, Scotland 20% of fuel – SRC willow by 2011 which represent ~10,000 ha

  7. Biomass is hitting headlines as DRAX announces plans to build 3 more biomass power stations in England

  8. Why? • To meet government targets for: • Energy from renewable sources • Reduction of GHG emissions • To slow down climate change

  9. 2020 2060 2080 Temperature Winter Spring Summer Autumn

  10. Rainfall Winter precipitation 1961- 1990 Summer precipitation 1961- 1990 Summer precipitation 2055 Winter precipitation 2055 Winter precipitation 2075 Summer precipitation 2075

  11. Climate and disease / pests Areas of cultivation (especially if monoculture) Climate change (temperature: rainfall: growing season) INCREASED and / or CHANGING disease / pest pressures

  12. Susceptible Host Suitable Environment Active Pathogen Disease Triangle DISEASE

  13. Willow rustMelampsora epitea

  14. Melampsora epitea Heteroecious rust alternating on European larch (Larix decidua)

  15. When there is not low winter temperatures -

  16. Need for non-chemical disease control strategy Fungicides cannot be used for: • Economics • Environmental • Practical • Renewable

  17. Genotype selection and assessment • European Breeding Programme (UK) • Swedish Breeding Programme • Yield • Disease / pest susceptibility • Growth form

  18. Swedish / European / USA genotype trial

  19. By using Salix Genotype Mixtures: • Delay in onset of infection • Slower rate of dissemination • Lower levels of disease end of season Significantly reduced impact of rust

  20. Mono - susceptible 20-way mixture Rust control Trial investigating the effectiveness of willow mixtures comprising up to 20 components for rust disease control

  21. Additional benefits of genotype mixtures • Increased yield • Better site / light / resource capture • Reduced disease pressure on individual genotypes • Important for sustainability of plantation • Opportunity for compensation

  22. Need for diversity in mixtures? • Original trials were both INTRA and INTER species mixtures

  23. “viminalis trial.” • Mixtures comprising of up to 7 straight Salix viminalis genotypes • Planted 2000 • Cut back 2000/01 • Harvested 2003/04 & 2007/08 • Disease assessed May – September 2000 - 2007

  24. Mixtures with limited diversity • Do NOT give any yield benefits • Do NOT consistently reduce disease incidence • Perform more like a mono-plot • It is not recommended to plant mixtures with limited number or limited diversity of genotypes

  25. Melampsora epitea PATHOTYPES Mixtures with limited diversity do not differ significantly form mono-plots

  26. Commercial Recommendations • Plant resistant Salix genotypes • Swedish breeding programme • European (formerly UK) breeding programme • Tora • Sven • Torhild • Olof • Tordis • (Stott) • Parfit • Beagle • Resolution • Discovery • Endeavour • Nimrod

  27. Planting configuration • Totally random (commercially impossible) • Short-runs (Step Planter) • Line mixtures • Mosaics • Large blocks

  28. Other risks Willow beetles (Phratora vitellinae and Phratora vulgatissima) Black willow aphid (Pterochlorus viminalis)

  29. Conclusions (SRC willow) • Increasing areas + climate change increases the risk of disease • Use of genotype mixtures offers an effective, cheap, sustainable method • There is a need for diversity within a mixture

  30. Thank you for listening

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