Field Physiology and Growth of Select Poplar Clones

Abstract

In this study, growth of seven hybrid poplar clones and one pure poplar clone was investigated in relation to leaf, shoot, and root physiology under field conditions. Clones included: Walker (24 - P. deltoides x P. xpetrowskyana), Assiniboine (25 - open pollinated Walker cv. Assiniboine), Northwest (27 - P. balsamifera x P. deltoides), Berlin (42 - P. laurifolia x P. nigra), Okanese (2403 - Walker x P. xpetrowskyana), P38P38 (P. simonii x P. balsamifera), Balsam (1004 - P. balsamifera) and hybrid aspen (2782 - P. tremuloides x P. tremula). It was found that Berlin and Okanese had the greatest above ground biomass production, low stomatal conductance, high root conductance and high loss in branch conductance, while hybrid aspen, balsam, and P38P38 had average above ground biomass production, stomatal conductance, root conductance and loss in branch conductance, and Walker, Assiniboine, and Northwest had low above ground biomass production, high stomatal conductance, low root conductance and average loss in branch conductance.