Abstract
This study aims to understand the phenotypic and genotypic correlations among wood anatomical, physical, and mechanical properties of hybrid poplar clones. Samples were taken from seven clones grown on three sites in Southern Quebec, Canada. Five trees per clone were randomly sampled from each site to measure anatomical (fiber length, fiber proportion, vessel proportion, fiber wall thickness, tension wood), physical (basic density, volumetric, longitudinal, tangential, and radial shrinkage), and mechanical wood properties (flexural modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR), ultimate crushing strength parallel to the grain). The observed phenotypic and genotypic correlations between these wood properties were moderate to strong, except for fiber length and vessel proportion. Genotypic correlations for all wood properties were higher than for corresponding phenotypic correlations. Furthermore, fiber length showed weak correlations, whereas, vessel proportion showed strongly negative correlations with all other properties. Strong correlations were also found among fiber proportion, fiber wall thickness, basic density, and mechanical properties. Furthermore, results from this study show close genotypic and phenotypic correlations between fiber proportion, fiber wall thickness, and wood density, which consequently affect the mechanical performance of wood products. These findings indicate that there is a substantial opportunity to improve wood quality by selecting several wood properties for different end uses.
Highlights
Canadian forests are among the most extensive in the world and represent one of Canada’s most valuable natural resources
The coefficient of variation (CV) of the measured properties ranged between 4.1% and 23.3%, indicating an acceptable level of variability
This study showed that mechanical properties improved with increased fiber proportion, no study showed that mechanical properties improved with increased fiber proportion, no significant relationship with other anatomical properties was found, except for tension wood (Table 5)
Summary
Canadian forests are among the most extensive in the world and represent one of Canada’s most valuable natural resources. Poplar is one of the most important components of this resource, the stands located in the boreal region of the country. In Québec, the Ministère de l’Énergie et des Ressources naturelles (Quebec’s ministry of energy and natural resources) has been actively breeding and selecting hybrid poplar clones for growth, adaptability to climatic conditions, and wood quality [1]. The genetic improvement program for poplars was started in 1969 to produce improved hybridized poplar populations using five main parental species: Populus balsamifera L., Populus deltoides. Populus nigra L., and Populus trichocarpa Terr. In 2003, anticipated yields were 14 m3 /ha·year on average sites, and 20 m3 /ha·year on the best sites in southern
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
