Abstract
The rapid growth rates of hybrid poplar (Populus spp.) enable rotations of 3–6 years for biofuels or 10–15 years to obtain merchantable timber, but many clones are susceptible to nutrient deficiencies when grown in alkaline soils. A 1995 Oregon study demonstrated that clone OP-367 (P. deltoides × P. nigra) was the only clone tested that performed well on alkaline soils. Tests in Colorado and New Mexico confirmed the adaptation of this clone. A multi-clonal trial was established in 2003 at Farmington, New Mexico and Ontario, Oregon in order to screen a larger number of clones for adaptability to alkaline soils. Trees were planted at 1.5 × 1.5 m spacing and irrigated by surface drip irrigation. Diameter at breast height (DBH) and tree height were recorded annually (2003–2006); wood volumes (WVol) and total aboveground biomass (TAB) were calculated from these measurements. Of the 25 clones tested, 19 were common to both sites. Mean height was greater at the Ontario site through the first 3 years (2003–2005). By the end of four seasons, the tallest Farmington entry was OP-367 at 9.4 m with 177 Mg ha−1 TAB while the tallest Ontario entry was Malheur-3 at 8.9 m with 195 Mg ha−1 TAB and several other clones had statistically similar production. Given the growth and productivity range at these two sites, it is difficult to make generalizations across wide areas, but it appears feasible to identify clones suited to alkaline soils in arid and semi-arid regions.
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Notes
Mention of trade names does not represent a product endorsement by the New Mexico State University or Oregon State University Agricultural Experiment Stations.
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Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank Renae Pablo and Todd Begay of the Navajo Agricultural Products Industry for field work and data collection conducted at ASC-Farmington. They would also like to thank Monty Saunders for his contribution to field work at MES-Ontario. This research was supported in part by the New Mexico State University and the Oregon State University Agricultural Experiment Stations.
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O’Neill, M.K., Shock, C.C., Lombard, K.A. et al. Hybrid poplar (Populus ssp.) selections for arid and semi-arid intermountain regions of the western United States. Agroforest Syst 79, 409–418 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-010-9286-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-010-9286-y