Abstract
Poplar is economically important and fast growing tree species which is widely adopted by farmers of northwest India. The nursery study was conducted for two years to find out clonal variation for plant height, collar diameter, biomass, wood traits and incidence of leaf spot disease. Results found significant differences among the clones for all growth traits, specific gravity and fiber length. Clones L-290/84, 22-N and L-50/88 were promising for tree height and collar diameter during 1st year study. In 2nd year the tree height was highest in L-7/87 but was at par with L-34/82. L-7/87, L-247/84 and L-48/89 were promising for diameter. Clones L-48/89, L-7/87, 22-N, L-247/84, S7C8, and WSL-22 recorded superiority for both above ground and root biomass. The maximum fiber length was recorded in clone WSL-29 (0.936 mm) which was at par with those of WSL-22, L-17/92 and L-50/88. The wood specific gravity ranged from 0.383 to 0.498. Clone L-290/84 was at top rank but statistically par with 40-N, G-48, L-50/88 and T-90. The relative resistance for leaf spot was the higher in L-290/84, 40-N and WSL-29 in 1st year, and WSL-29, L-17/92, L-290/84, 22-N, 40-N, S7C8, and L-48/89 were found to be resistant during 2nd year. On the basis of all the traits clones L-48/89, 22-N, L-290/84, 40-N, and WSL-22 have shown promise and need to be tested at multiple sites before commercial cultivation.
Highlights
The maximum value (3.68 cm) for collar diameter was recorded by clone L-290/84 which was at par with five other clones i.e. L-50/88, 22-N, WSL-22
The present study has revealed significant variation for all the growth traits and reaction to disease incidence
Poplar clones L-290/84, 40-N, WSL-29, Ranikhet, L-290/84, 22-N, 40-N, S7C8, L-247/84 and L-48/89 were found promising as resistant stocks against leaf spots
Summary
Ex Marsh., commonly called eastern cottonwood or poplar, is one of the most widely planted exotic tree species. It belongs to family Salicaceae, and is naturally distributed over the forests of Northern Hemisphere. Forest Research Institute, Dehradun introduced Populus deltoides in India from United Kingdom.[1] Poplar is fast growing, multipurpose tree species and can be harvested at short rotation of 7-8 years. The characters like clean bole, winter deciduous, multiple uses, soil improving properties, compatibility with agricultural crops and high economic returns make the species most ideal for agroforestry Both block and boundary plantations of poplar have come up at large scale in north-western India. This study was planned to evaluate poplar clones under the nursery conditions for growth, wood traits and tolerance to diseases
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