Investigation on adaptation and wood yield of different open crown poplar clones at Sanandaj comparative poplutum

Abstract The trial was conducted by planting 10 different open crown poplar clones near Gheshlagh riverside at Sanandaj city of Kurdistan province of Iran from 2001 for seven years, in order to study their adaptability and wood yield. Poplar plantation started from 2002 based on randomized complete blocks design with three replications by a 4 x 4 m. spacing (25 saplings per plot). Poplar characteristics, including total height and diameter at breast height (dbh) were measured annually after planting. Results showed that effects of first and second years after planting on sapling's cumulative growth of dbh, height and volume were not significant. The average of dbh, total height and volume at end of 2007 were 18.69 cm., 11.51 m. and 109.88 m3 ha-1, respectively. There were significant differences between the clones in respect to their growth performance, during the trial period. Three of the clones, including P. euramericana 561/41, P. deltoids 63/2 and P. deltoids 63/1 had the best adaptation and performance among the studied ones at Sanandaj ecological conditions. The average dbh, total height and volume increment of the outstanding clones were 22.05, 21.44 and 20.6 cm; 12.68, 12.67 and 12.75 m. and 26.5, 24.7 and 23.66 m3 ha-1 y-1, respectively. Their quality was perfect as well with low damage caused by dry stress, good to excellent freshness, low contamination to pests (without stress condition) and straight and smooth stems or having one or two branches