Growth characteristics of different Poplar clones in the selection nurseries in Esfahan province

In this research, 44 clones of different Poplar species including Populus alba, P. nigra, P. candican, P. deltoides, P. euramericana, P. suaveolens, P. ciliata and P. trichocarpa were studied within three years at Ghaleh –Sefid Experimental Station in Esfahan Province. The studied growth parameters consists of survival, height, diameter and effect of seedling basal cutting on shoots height and diameter growth. Height and diameter were measured annually. After measuring the one-year old seedlings, they were cut off from stem base. At the second year, the seedlings 1/2 (with one-year old shoots and two-years old roots) and at the third year the seedlings 2/3 (with two-years shoots and three-years roots) were measured. Results showed that the highest and lowest survival rate belonged to Populus simonii, P. nigra and P. alba, respectively; whereas the highest and lowest height growth belonged to P. nigra and P. suaveolens, respectively. The highest and lowest height and diameter growth of the one and two-years old shoots belonged to P. deltoides and P. suaveolens, respectively. The basal cutting affected the height growth of P. deltoides, significantly.