"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 Fossil fuels account for 96% of all energy used Renewable energy grew by 15% in 2006 (mainly due to wind)

Trends in energy supply (SEI)

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

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

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

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

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

Winter Spring Summer Autumn Temperature

Winter precipitation Summer precipitation 2075 Summer precipitation 2055 Summer precipitation Winter precipitation 2075 Winter precipitation 2055 Rainfall

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

Susceptible Host Active Pathogen Suitable Environment DISEASE Disease Triangle

Willow rust Melampsora epitea

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

When there is not low winter temperatures -

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

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

Swedish / European / USA genotype trial

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

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

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

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

“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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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