Shrub willow chips incorporated after potato harvest enhance soil properties in Prince Edward Island, Canada

Willow (Salix viminalis spp.) shrubs are being planted along riverbanks, on erodible and marginal farmland. Wood chips made from the woody biomass could improve the properties of light-textured soils with low organic matter content in potato based systems. Willow chips were applied at 0, 20, 40, and 60 mg ha-1 (fresh weight) as a soil amendment. Soil health parameters were evaluated after 12 months, followed by C and N contents in whole soil, particulate, and mineral-associated organic matter fractions after 18 months. Willow chip application increased soil aggregation, respiration, C and N contents in whole soil, and plant-available K.