Potential Use of Containerised Willow Transplants in the Falkland Islands

In November 2002, 5 Salix spp. clones were brought from the UK to the Falkland Islands. The objectives were: 1) to determine if transfer from the Northern to the Southern Hemisphere would be successful; 2) to produce containerised willow with strong root systems and top growth that would establish and provide shelter more rapidly; and 3) investigate whether cuttings would grow better if grown in containers rather than outplanted directly into the soil as nonrooted cuttings. Preliminary results (3-month growth) appear to indicate that the containerisation of willows significantly improves shoot and root growth. Of the 5 species evaluated, Salix viminalis and Salix x dasyclados have produced willow plants with superior quality and vigour compared with the rest of the varieties. These varieties have also shown continued accelerated growth (length and number of primary shoots) between January and March 2003 in a controlled environment. In early September 2003, the willows will be outplanted out on a commercial farm on cultivated land to test the impact of plant quality on subsequent field performance—survival, growth, disease status, and stability. This will provide information on species selection, potential use, and economic viability of willows in the Falklands.

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Author(s): Rodrigo J. Olave, Jim H. McAdam, W. Malcom Dawson, Aidan Kerr, Gordon J. Lennie

Publication: National Nursery Proceedings - 2003

Event: Western Forest and Conservation Nursery Association Meeting
2003 - Coeur d"Alene, ID