Effect of cutting source and planting depth on vegetative propagation of Populus caspica Bornm

For vegetative propagation of Populus caspica an examination was carried out as randomized completely blocks design in Koludeh nursery, Amol, north of Iran. For this purpose 3-bud cuttings, with stock plants provided from stem of 1-year sapling, 1-year sprout of tetard, 1-year branch of tree, and plantation methods of cuttings with 3 buds under ground and 2 buds under ground, were sown in plastic pods filled with loamy-sand soil. Results revealed that cuttings with 3 buds under ground germinated two weeks later than cuttings with 2 buds under ground. Cuttings with stem of 1-year sapling and 1-year branch of tree produced greater germination (60%- 62%) and production efficiency (46%- 48%), but lower survival 60%- 77%), height growth and collar diameter growth compared to cuttings with 1-year sprout of tetard. Cuttings with 2 buds under ground created higher germination rate and lower survival rate than those with 3 buds under ground; however, production efficiency as well as height growth and collar diameter growth was similar in both treatments. From this investigation it can be deduced that stem of 1-year sapling as well as 1-year sprout of tetard is favored for vegetative propagation of Populus caspica. This is while that, 3-bud cuttings either as 1 bud on ground or 3 buds under ground do not change production efficiency, statistically.