Variation of growth and phenology traits in poplars planted in clonal trials in Northern Europe—implications for breeding

• DOI: 10.1007/s12155-021-10262-8
• Publication Date: 2021-03-06T05:03:28Z
• Authors: Anneli Adler; Almir Karacic; Ann-Christin Rönn...; Ulf Johansson; Kaspars Liepins; Audrius Gradeckas; Lars Christersson
• Keywords: Populus trichocarpa; Local adaptation

Abstract The increased demand for wood to replace oil-based products with renewable has lifted focus the Baltic Sea region where environment is favorable woody biomass growth. aim of this study was estimate broad-sense heritabilities and genotype-by-environment (G×E) interactions in growth phenology traits six climatically different regions Sweden Baltics. We tested hypothesis that both bud burst set have a significant effect on early selected poplar clones Northern Europe. Provenance hybrids Populus trichocarpa adapted European climate were compared reference adaptation Central climate. volume index stemwood under low medium genetic control from 0.22 0.75. Heritabilities varied between 0.31 0.91. Locally chosen elite identified. G×E analyzed using pairwise comparisons trials. Three breeding zones poplars latitudes 55° N 60° Region outlined. studied provenance origin North America offer great possibility broaden area commercial plantations Europe further improve collection match local climates. conclude an important selection criterion after