Morphological Variation of Poplar Clones under Sub-Tropical and Sub-Temperate Conditions

Abstract

Clonal variation in morphological growth parameters of Populus deltoides and P. ciliata were studied in the nursery stages in Sub-tropical (Naganji) and Sub-temperate (Shilli) regions to assess their planting success and growth potential in their climatic zones. P. deltoides clones planted in Sub-tropical nursery recorded highest average height (298.70cm), basal diameter (21.75mm) and leaf area (175.40cm2) with clone ‘PD-1’ sharing maximum height (350.00± 26.07cm) and leaf area (193.70±6.86cm2). Whereas, basal diameter was recorded maximum in the clone ‘G-48’ (25.05±3.77mm). Among P. ciliata clones planted under Sub-temperate condition clone ‘Chhachpur’ recorded maximum height (159.00±24.54 cm) and leaf area (104.25±26.40 cm2) growth, whereas, basal diameter of 12.48±0.55 mm was found maximum in P. deltoides clone ‘90-2’. Standing fresh leaf biomass significantly decreased with advancement in month. Dry leaf biomass increased significantly from September to October. While, significant variation between sites having maximum fresh as well as dry leaf biomass was observed in sub-tropical nursery. It was observed that average height, diameter, leaf area and leaf biomass were almost double in the clones at Sub-tropical (Naganji) nursery as compared to Sub-temperate (Shilli).

Study of Variation in Quantitative Traits of Poplar (Populus deltoides) Clones in Different Environments

“…Growth parameters of Populus deltoides and P. ciliata clones were studied in sub-tropical (Naganji) and sub-temperate (Shilli) nurseries and found significant differences among clones for plant height, basal diameter and volume index [5]. Similarly, superior Populus deltoides clones were screened in the nursery by Sharma et al [6] and found 23 clones in plant height and volume index and 22 clones in basal diameter significantly different against check clone G-48.…”