Second to carbon, nitrogen (N) is an essential element for plant growth and development and for the synthesis of secondary cell walls. As the need for alternative energy sources has risen, understanding how bioenergy crops uptake and metabolize excess nitrogen is necessary to achieve the maximum biomass attainable. In this study, we examined the effects of varying nitrogen treatments on both biomass accumulation and nitrogen containing metabolites (amino acids and polyamines) in shrub willow (Salix spp.) to evaluate their effectiveness as both bioenergy crops and agricultural buffers. Shrub willow cultivars were grown under differing nitrogen treatments and the harvested leaf tissue was used for analysis via high performance liquid chromatography. A particular shrub willow genotype, a native S. sericea, exhibited the greatest response in growth to increased nitrogen, when compared to other genotypes. Growth data and changes in metabolite profiles of amino acids and polyamines will be presented. The data will be used in selection of genotypes most suited for use as agricultural buffers, as well as what direction to take for genetic improvement of said crop.

Physiological and biochemical responses in shrub willow clones to nitrogen stress

2019 Spring National Meeting

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