Abstract
An intensive integrated research and development work has been carried out on the improvement of Leuce poplars including primarily the native white poplar (Populus alba L.) and its natural hybrid grey poplar (Populus × canescens). More than 70 percent of the Leuce poplar stands can be found on calcareous sandy sites in the Danube–Tisza region, so they play a significant role in the poplar management of this part of the country. The most important task ahead of Hungarian poplar growers is to improve the quality of poplar stands and plantations based on selecting new clones and cultivars. The growth and yield of four promising Leuce poplar clones was evaluated on a marginal site in central Hungary. The clones ‘H 425-4’ (Populus alba L. × Populus alba L.), and ‘H 758’ (Populus alba L. Mosonmagyaróvár 124) seem to be suitable for wood production, while the ‘H 427-3’ (Populus alba L. × Populus alba L. cv. Bolleana) and ‘H 422-9’ (Populus alba L. × Populus grandidentata (Michx)) clones (with decorative stem form) could be better used for tree lines and ornamental plantations.
Highlights
White poplar (Populus alba L.) and its most important natural hybrid, the grey poplar (Populus × canescens (Aiton) Sm.) are native poplar species in Hungary
More than 70 percent of the Leuce poplar stands can be found on calcareous sandy sites in the Danube–Tisza region, so they play a significant role in the poplar management of this part of the country
The most important task ahead of Hungarian poplar growers is to improve the quality of poplar stands and plantations based on selecting new clones and cultivars
Summary
White poplar (Populus alba L.) and its most important natural hybrid, the grey poplar (Populus × canescens (Aiton) Sm.) are native poplar species in Hungary. More than 70% of the white poplar stands can be found on calcareous sandy sites on the Danube–Tisza region. About 35% of the new afforestation and artificial regenerations is carried out presently with Leuce poplars in the mentioned region. They have a rich gene pool on the sand dune region in the middle of the Great Hungarian Plain and on the bottomland of big rivers. Due to the establishment of national parks in these regions, considerable increases can be expected in the field of native poplars management. At the same time their importance will be increasing in the large areas of marginal sites which are not suitable for hybrid poplars but can accommodate native ones
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