Hybrid Willow Cultivation: Maximising Yields through Variable Spacing and Coppice Managements

The study was conducted in an experimental field at Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, to assess the effect of spacing and clones on the growth and yield of hybrid willow. The experiment was set up in a factorial randomized block design with three hybrid clones (J-799, Kashmiri and J-194) planted at three spacings, 1 × 1 m, 1 × 2 m and 1 × 3 m. The highest survivability was observed for J-194 at 1 × 3 m spacing (86.04%), but the effects of spacing and clones were not significant. Spacing has a significant impact on the growth parameters of both trees and coppices. Kashmiri at 1 × 1 m spacing had the highest individual tree height (6.59 m) and the highest per hectare volume (189 m3/ha), while J-194 at 1 × 2 m spacing recorded highest mean tree volume (2275.00 cm3) and J-799 at 1 × 3 m largest mean diameter (6.94 cm). In coppice J-799 at 1 × 3 m spacing the highest collar diameter (3.03 cm), diameter at breast height (2.70 cm) and mean stem volume (2583.49 cm3) were observed. Kashmiri at 1 × 1 m spacing showed highest leading coppice height (4.21 m) and J-799 at 1 × 1 m spacing the highest per-hectare volume (20.85 m3/ha). The study shows that lower planting density favoured more lateral growth and individual volume production, whereas denser spacing was more favourable for height and volume per hectare.