Yield stability under different management systems: water use efficiency and morphometric plasticity of poplar in agroforestry versus monoculture under Mediterranean conditions
Author(s)
Date Issued
April 16, 2026
Type
text::journal::journal article
Volume
100
Issue
5
ISSN
0167-4366
1572-9680
Journal
Abstract
In the face of escalating climate instability and water scarcity in the Mediterranean region, the transition from resource-intensive monocultures to resilient agroforestry systems is becoming imperative for sustainable biomass production. This study provides a comprehensive evaluation of the biometric performance, water use efficiency, growth performance and productivity indexes of Poplar (Populus spp.) cultivated in an agroforestry system versus a conventional high-density monoculture, under both irrigated and rainfed conditions. Field experiments conducted in Central Italy revealed a critical trade-off between absolute yield and biometric performance. While the irrigated monoculture system maximized total biomass production (16.83 t ha⁻1), it required substantial water inputs. Conversely, the rainfed agroforestry system, despite lower yields (11.59 t ha⁻1), demonstrated remarkable yield stability, achieving a Water Use Efficiency (5.32 kg mm⁻1 m⁻2) comparable to the high-input irrigated monoculture (5.21 kg mm⁻1). Furthermore, trees in agroforestry systems exhibited superior individual growth traits, with significantly greater stem diameters and heights compared to monoculture stands, indicating a shift from “quantity-driven” to “quality-driven” biomass production. These findings challenge the conventional paradigm of yield maximization, suggesting that agroforestry offers a superior strategy for sustainable intensification. By decoupling biomass production from heavy water dependence, agroforestry emerges as a key solution for maintaining bioeconomy supply chains in water-limited future scenarios.
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