Comparison of diameter and height growth of native and new non-native poplar clones in Chamestan Forest and Rangeland Research Station

In order to develop wood cultivation, it is necessary to use new high-yielding Poplar clones. For introduce the best clones, in this study, 12 new poplar clones that have entered the country in recent years and two previous successful clones (as a control) along with a native Caspian poplar were planted in a randomized complete block design with three replications at a distance of 4 by 4 m. Diameter and height traits were measured each year after the end of the growing season. Qualitative traits including the number of trunk curvature, the number of branches thicker than 5 cm, the number and percentage of two-branched trees in each clone, and the height of the branching position were recorded at the end of the fifth year. Simple analysis of variance for diameter and height values showed significant difference between the clones. However, combined analysis of variance for diameter and height growth values showed a significant difference in terms of diameter growth between clones as well as between different years. But for height growth values, there is a significant difference only between different years. P. deltoides marquette, and P. deltoids 69/55 as control clone with 13.65 and 13.28 cm in diameter and values of 10.63 and 10.50 m in height respectively, after 5 years of growth as best clones are introduced. In contrast, P. euramericana 87m. 119 and P. euramericana i-sieres were identified as the weakest clones. Qualitative traits did not impair the quantitative results.