Growth Trends and Morpho-Genetic Characteristics of Eastern Cottonwood (Populus Deltoides Bartr.) Crossings

ABSTRACT

In this study, growth trends and some morpho-genetic characteristics of Populus deltoides hybrid clones were investigated. 40 clones released from intra-specific crossings of P. deltoides and inter-specific crossings of P. deltoides and P. nigra were used as research material. Growth performances of the clones concerning their survival, height, diameter and volume index were determined at the nursery stage. Some morpho-genetic characteristics of the clones such as branchness index, stem form and leaf characters were also determined. Analysis of variance was used for clonal comparisons at the end of nursery test. Duncan's Multiple Range Test was applied for grouping of the clones. Heritabilities of clonal means were calculated for the values of survival, height, diameter, and volume index. The values representing the growth and morphological characteristics of the clones were also analysed by factor analysis to find out the effective components of growth. Discriminant analysis was applied for classification of the clones based on the most effective variable “Volume Index.”