Prominent leaf morphological traits of mature trees to distinguish 14 poplar clones widely used in tree farming

Document Type : Complete scientific research article

Authors

1 Research Expert, Research Division of Poplar and Fast-growing Trees, Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, Iran.

2 Senior Research Expert, Research Division of Poplar and Fast-growing Trees, Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Populus spp. have a wide distribution with a great morphological variation in the world. The leaf heterophilic is a remarkable characteristic among the genus of this species, which makes it difficult of recognizing a clone from another. Having knowledge on leaf morphological traits would help to separate the poplar species planted in the northern Iran. This study aimed at identifying these morphological traits. The correlation between leaf morphological and the growth traits in mature trees could also be useful in assessing tree growth. Thus, investigating correlations between leaf morphology and growth traits of mature trees was considered as a minor objective for the present study.
Materials and Methods: In this study, 14 clones of four species including P. nigra (42.78, 62.154, 63.135, betulifolia), P. alba (20.45, 44.13),
P. deltoids (63.8, 69.55, 92.258, marquette), and P. euramericana
(154, 214, costanzo, vernirubensis), which are planted more than other species, especially in the northern half of the county were selected from the poplar clone’s collection of Alborz research station in Karaj county. In this collection center, 9 individuals of each genotype were planted with the aim of genetic perseverance. Three of nine individuals of each clone were randomly selected and after leaf sampling at a height of 3-8 m from seven-year-old trees, 12 morphological traits were measured. Diameter at breast height, total tree height and tree crown radius at four cardinal directions were measured in the late growing season to determine correlation coefficient between the mature tree growth and leaf morphological traits. We used the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) with two methods of calculating correlation and multiple regression analysis between leaf traits and principal axes and the nested design of experiments to determine the most effective traits on the separation of colons. Finally, mean values of morphological traits were compared using Dunnett's T3 test.
Results: According to the clustering results, P. nigra, P. alba, and two of P. deltoids (63.8, 92.258) clones were placed separately in three groups. The four P. euramericana clones in addition to marquette and 69.55 from P. deltoids constituted another group. Leaf length, leaf area, maximum width of the leaf, leaf dry weight and petiole length were determined to be the most effective morphological traits among the clones studied. Crown area was the only growth trait that had a positive significant correlation with leaf morphological traits, such that with increasing crown area over leaf length, maximum leaf width, petiole length, leaf thicket and surface area, and dry weight increased.
Conclusion: Regarding leaf heterophilic and high similarity of leaves in poplar genius, five key traits of length, area, maximum width, dry weight, and petiole length were recognized for the separation of the 14 clones. Based to the results of this study, it is inferred that the crown area affects leaf dimension more than diameter at breast height and total tree height. Therefore, leaf morphological traits cannot be the sole criterion for evaluating diameter and height growth of mature poplars.

Keywords

References

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Journal of Wood and Forest Science and Technology
Volume 29, Issue 2
June 2022
Pages 77-94

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