Growth Performance of Promising Poplar (Populus deltoides Bartr.) Clones under Semi-Arid Region of Haryana, India

The study was conducted to explore the growth performance of the 19 promising clones of poplar at 12 and 24 months after planting. Data were statistically analyzed for different growth parameters viz., colour of buds (after one month), total height, collar diameter, inter-nodal length, number of branches, volume index at first and second year. Taxonomic evaluation (colour of buds) revealed that the clonal characters further represent the source of germplasm from poplar of section Aigeirous. Results revealed that clone C-5 showed significantly better performance for total height, collar diameter, inter-nodal length and volume index, Clone C-7 and PL5 had a higher number of branches in comparison to other clones. Clones SOLAN-13, SOLAN-8 FRI-72, FRI-100 and WIMCO-62 were also found to be the promising clones for growth parameters. Clones C-5 showed better performance for all above mentioned growth characters over other clones.