Across two phylogeographic breaks: Quaternary evolutionary history of a mountain aspen (Populus rotundifolia) in the Hengduan Mountains

Biogeographical barriers to gene flow are central to plant phylogeography.In East Asia,plant distribution is greatly influenced by two phylogeographic breaks,the Mekong-Salween Divide and Tanaka-Kaiyong Line,however,few studies have investigated how these barriers affect the genetic diversity of species that are distributed across both.Here we used 14 microsatellite loci and four chloroplast DNA fragments to examine genetic diversity and distribution patterns of 49 populations of Populus rotundifolia,a species that spans both the Mekong-Salween Divide and the Tanaka-Kaiyong Line in southwestern China.Demographic and migration hypotheses were tested using coalescent-based approaches.Limited historical gene flow was observed between the western and eastern groups of P.rotundifolia,but substantial flow occurred across both the Mekong-Salween Divide and Tanaka-Kaiyong Line,manifesting in clear admixture and high genetic diversity in the central group.Wind-borne pollen and seeds may have facilitated the dispersal of P.rotundifolia following prevalent northwest winds in the spring.We also found that the Hengduan Mountains,where multiple genetic barriers were detected,acted on the whole as a barrier between the western and eastern groups of P.rotundifolia.Ecological niche modeling suggested that P.rotundifolia has undergone range expansion since the last glacial maximum,and demographic reconstruction indicated an earlier population expansion around 600 Ka.The phylogeographic pattern of P.rotundifolia reflects the interplay of biological traits,wind patterns,barriers,niche differentiation,and Quaternary climate history.This study emphasizes the need for multiple lines of evidence in understanding the Quaternary evolution of plants in topographically complex areas.

基于杨木(Populus sp.)的二代燃料乙醇技术研究进展

木质纤维素类生物质作为一种廉价且储量丰富的可再生原料,可通过预处理、酶解和微生物发酵等过程转化为纤维素燃料乙醇,近几十年来受到世界各国的广泛关注。杨木是一种人工广泛种植的速生硬木,主要用于造纸工业,而伴随产生大量枝桠等废弃物。因其富含纤维素和半纤维素组分,被认为是纤维素乙醇生产的优良木质纤维素原料。聚焦于杨木在纤维素乙醇生产中的应用,介绍了杨木的组成及结构特点,重点综述了杨木在预处理技术、预处理原料的酶解、微生物发酵等方面的研究进展。最后,归纳总结了限制杨木在纤维素乙醇应用中的技术障碍及困难,进而分析提出了相应解决对策并展望了其应用前景。

In vitro anther culture and Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of the AP1 gene from Salix integra Linn. in haploid poplar(Populus simonii × P. nigra)

A reliable,efficient anther culture system,the dominant technique for generating haploid plants in breeding programs,that can be used for generating transgenic poplar plants has been needed.In the present study,therefore,an anther culture system was developed using isolated mid-and late-uninucleate anthers of poplar(Populus simonii x P.nigra).From a combination of SSR and ploidy analyses,six double haploid and two haploid lines were characterized from 86 plants grown from 16 regenerated anther cultured lines.After 48 months of development,two plant lines from the regenerated plants maintained their haploid level in vitro for over 2 years.A number of haploid plants from the different lines weretransferred to soil.The leaves of these transplants were then used as explants for transformation with the APETALA1(AP1) gene using Agrobacterium tumefaciens.Overexpression of AP1 in haploid poplar induced early flowering with obvious petals when ectopically expressed.To our knowledge,this is the first report on changes in flowering time in AP1-trangenic poplar,which is important for elucidating the regulatory mechanism of tree flower development.

Biomass production and carbon balance in two hybrid poplar(Populus euramericana)plantations raised with and without agriculture in southern France

Poplar is useful in different climates for bioenergy production and carbon sequestration when planted as a single species or in agroforestry. Europe has large areas potentially suitable for poplar forestry and a bioenergy policy that would encourage poplar forestry. In this study I estimated biomass production and carbon sequestration in poplar monoculture plantation and poplar-wheat agroforestry, in the Mediterranean region of France. A single-tree harvesting method was used to estimate biomass and an empirical conversion factor was adopted to calculate sequestered carbon. Total biomass was higher in agroforestry trees(1223 kg tree^(-1)) than in monoculture plantation trees(1102 kg tree^(-1)).Aboveground and belowground biomass distributions were similar in both cases(89 and 88% aboveground, and 11 and12% belowground, respectively in agroforestry and monoculture). The partitioning of total biomass in an agroforestry tree in leaves, branch, and trunk(aboveground), and fine roots, medium roots, coarse roots and underground stem(belowground) was 1,22,and 77,and 6,9, 44 and 40%,respectively. Except for branch and trunk, all other compartments were similarly distributed in a monoculture tree.Storage of C was higher in agroforestry trees(612 kg tree^(-1))than in monoculture trees(512 kg tree^(-1)). In contrast, C storage on a per hectare basis was lower in agroforestry(85 Mg ha^(-1)) than in monoculture(105 Mg ha^(-1)) due to the lower density of trees per hectare in agroforestry(139 trees in agroforestry vs 204 trees in monoculture). On a per hectare basis, soil C stocks pattern were similar to per tree stocking:They were higher in agroforestry at 330 Mg ha^(-1) than in monoculture 304 Mg ha^(-1). Higher C accumulation by agroforestry has a direct management implication in the sense that expanding agroforestry into agriculture production areas with short rotation and fast growing trees like poplar would encourage quicker and greater C sequestration. This could simultaneously fulfil the requirement of bioenergy plantation in Europe.

An Improved System for Shoot Regeneration from Stem Explants of Lombardy Poplar (Populus nigra L. var. italica Koehne)

We developed a system for the regeneration of Lombardy poplar (Populus nigra L. var. italica) shoots from internodal stem explants. Using this system, shoots regenerated from 87% of the stem explants placed on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 0.1 mg/L indole-3-acetic acid and 0.5 mg/L benzylaminopurine without undergoing callus formation. About 80% of the in vitro regenerated shoots developed roots on MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/L indole-3-butyric acid and 0.02 mg/L 1-naphthylacetic acid. Well-rooted seven-to eight-week-old regenerated plants could be transferred to soil for further growth and the survival rate of such plants after three weeks was 88%. The protocol presented here is simple and economical because it does not rely on pre-incubation in callus induction medium or repeated subculture in shoot induction medium containing trans-zeatin, an expensive substance. The in vitro regeneration system presented here could be used for evaluation of radiation sensitivity for Lombardy poplar tissues.

Assembly and analysis of the Populus deltoides mitochondrial genome:the first report of a multicircular mitochondrial conformation for the genus Populus

Genomics research of Populus deltoides,an important timber species that is widely planted worldwide,is an important part of poplar breeding.Currently,the nuclear and chloroplast genome of P.deltoides have been sequenced,but its mitochondrial genome(mitogenome)has not been reported.To further explore the evolution and phylogeny of P.deltoides,the mitogenome of P.deltoides I-69 was assembled using reads from Nanopore and Illumina sequencing platforms and found to consist of 802,637 bp and three circular chromosomes(336,205,280,841,and 185,591 bp)containing 58 genes(34 protein-coding genes,21 tRNA genes,and 3 rRNA genes).RNA analysis in combination with several species showed signifi cantly fewer RNA editingsites in the mitogenomes of poplar and other angiosperms than in gymnosperms.Sequence transfer analysis showed extensive mitogenome rearrangements in Populus species,and with evolution from lower to higher plants,tRNA transfer from chloroplasts to mitochondria became increasingly frequent.In a phylogenetic analysis,the evolutionary status of P.deltoides was determined,and the section Populus was supported.Our results based on the fi rst report of a multicircular conformation of the Populus mitogenome provide a basis for further study of the evolution and genetics of P.deltoides and other Populus species and for breeding programs.

Wind-dispersed seeds blur phylogeographic breaks:The complex evolutionary history of Populus lasiocarpa around the Sichuan Basin

The strength of phylogeographic breaks can vary among species in the same area despite being subject to the same geological and climate history due to differences in biological traits.Several important phylogeographic breaks exist around the Sichuan Basin in Southwest China but few studies have focused on wind-dispersed plants.Here,we investigated the phylogeographic patterns and the evolutionary history of Populus lasiocarpa,a wind-pollinated and wind-dispersed tree species with a circum-Sichuan Basin distribution in southwest China.We sequenced and analyzed three plastid DNA fragments(ptDNA) and eight nuclear microsatellites(nSSRs) of 265 individuals of P.lasiocarpa from 21 populations spanning the entire distribution range.Distribution patterns based on nSSR data revealed that there are three genetic groups in P.lasiocarpa.This is consistent with the three phylogeographic breaks(Sichuan Basin,the Kaiyong Line and the 105°E line),where the Sichuan basin acts as the main barrier to gene flow between western and eastern groups.However,the distribution pattern based on ptDNA haplotypes poorly matched the phylogeographic breaks,and wind-dispersed seeds may be one of the main contributing factors.Species distribution modelling suggested a larger potential distribution in the last glacial maximum with a severe bottleneck during the last interglacial.A DIYABC model also suggested a population contraction and expansion for both western and eastern lineages.These results indicate that biological traits are likely to affect the evolutionary history of plants,and that nuclear molecular markers,which experience higher levels of gene flow,might be better indicators of phylogeographic breaks.

Rhizosphere bacterial communities and soil nutrient conditions reveal sexual dimorphism of Populus deltoides

Sexual dimorphism of plants shapes the diff erent morphology and physiology between males and females.However,it is still unclear whether it infl uences belowground ecological processes.In this study,rhizosphere soil of male and female Populus deltoides and bulk soil were collected from an 18-year plantation(male and female trees mix-planted)and grouped into three soil compartments.Soil carbon(C),nitrogen(N)and phosphorus(P)levels were determined,and soil bacterial communities were analyzed by high-throughput sequencing.The results showed the less total carbon and total organic carbon,the more nutrients(available phosphorus,nitrate nitrogen and ammonium nitrogen)available in the rhizosphere soils of female poplars than soils of males.However,α-diversity indices of the rhizosphere bacterial communities under male plants were signifi-cantly higher.Principal component analysis showed that the bacterial communities were signifi cantly diff erent between the male and female soil compartments.Further,the bacterial co-occurrence network in soil under male trees had more nodes and edges than under females.BugBase analysis showed the more functional bacteria taxa related to biofi lm formation and antioxidation under males.The results indicate that soils under male poplars had more diverse and more complex co-occurrence networks of the rhizosphere bacterial community than soils under female trees,implying that male poplars might have better environmental adaptability.The study provides insight into the diff erent soil-microbe interactions of dioecious plants.More details about the infl uencing mechanism of sexual dimorphism on rhizosphere soil bacterial communities need to be further studied.

Effects of site conditions on growth and wood properties of Populus×euramericana cv.'74/76'

The growth and wood properties of 240 individual Populus×euramericana cv.’74/76’(hereafter poplar 107)trees planted in Hebei Plain,China was evaluated.Mean annual increments in height,breast height diameter and volume,as well as cellulose,hemicellulose and lignin contents,shrinkage,density,bending strength and modulus of elasticity in the heart wood and sap wood.Environmental factors influencing growth and wood properties were analyzed using correlation and stepwise regres sion.The results show that the coefficients of variation(CVs)of growth traits ranged from 10.6 to 22.4%.The CVs of the chemical properties of heartwood ranged from 4.3 to 30.2%,and for sap wood from 3.2 to 27.5%.The CVs of the physical and mechanical properties of heartwood ranged from 8.6 to 31.7%,and for sapwood from 6.4 to 29.9%.The results of one-way ANOVA showed that there were significant differences in growth traits and wood properties among sites.Soil pH,total and available phosphorus,total potassium,and soil organic matter were key soil factors affecting growth and wood properties of poplar 107,whereas mean annual ground temperatures and precipitation were the main climatic factors.To better cultivate poplar 107,area with less annual rainfall,slightly higher temperature and soil pH value close to neutral should be selected.

Genome-wide identification and characterization of ACBP gene family in Populus reveal salinity alkali-responsive profiles

Acyl-CoA-binding proteins(ACBPs)are important for the transport of acyl groups for macro molecular biosynthesis involved in plant growth,development,and diverse stress(e.g.,cold,drought,salinity,and heavy metals)responses.Here,we report the phylogeny and characteristics of the ACBP family in the woody plant Populus trichocarpa.Eight genes encoding ACBP proteins were identified,and they are distributed on eight chromosomes in P.trichocarpa.These PtACBP genes were divided into four subgroups according to gene structure,conserved motifs and phylogenetic relationship.Promoter analysis revealed that cis-elements were related to stress response,phytohormone response,and physical and reproductive growth regulation.Expression levels of PtACBP genes varied among different organs,with the highest expression in leaves and the lowest in stems.Quantitative real-time PCR(qRT-PCR)analysis showed that under salinity-alkali stresses(i.e.,200 mM NaCl,75 mM Na2CO3,and 100 mM NaHCO3),four(PtACBP1,PtACBP3,PtACBP4 and PtACBP8)of eight PtACBP genes were significantly induced in roots and leaves.These data provide a comprehensive analysis of the ACBPs family in P.trichocarpa,which could be useful for gene function analyses.

Trunk volume estimation of irregular shaped Populus euphratica riparian forest using TLS point cloud data and multivariate prediction models

Background: Trunk volume(Vt) is an essential parameter for estimating forest stand volume, biomass, and carbon sequestration potential. As the dominant tree species in desert riparian forests, Euphrates poplar(Populus euphratica) has a high proportion of irregularly shaped tree trunks along the Tarim River, NW China, where the habitat is very fragile owing to long-term water stress. This causes uncertainty in estimation accuracy as well as technical challenges for forest surveys. Our study aimed to acquire P. euphratica Vtusing terrestrial laser scanning(TLS) and to establish a species-specific Vtprediction model.Methods: A total of 240 individual trees were measured by TLS multiple-station in 12 sampling plots in three sections along the lower reaches of the Tarim River. Vtwas calculated by a definite integration method using trunk diameters(Di) at every 0.1-m tree height obtained from TLS, and all data were split randomly into two sets:70% of data were used to estimate the model parameter calibration, and the remaining 30% were used for model validation. Sixteen widely used candidate tree Vtestimation models were fitted to the TLS-measured Vtand tree structural parameter data, including tree height(H), diameter at breast height(DBH), and basal diameter(BD). All model performances were evaluated and compared by the statistical parameters of determination coefficient(R^(2)),root mean square error(RMSE), Bayesian information criterion(BIC), mean prediction error(ME), mean absolute error(MAE), and modeling efficiency(EF), and accordingly the best model was selected.Results: TLS point cloud reflection intensity(RI) has advantageous in the extraction of data from irregular tree trunk structures. The P. euphratica tree Vtvalues showed obvious differences at the same tree height(H). There was no significant correlation between Vtand H(R^(2)=0.11, P < 0.01), which reflected the irregularity of P. euphratica trunk shape in the study area. Among all the models, model(14): Vt=0.909DBH1.184H0.487BD0.836(R^(2)=0.97, RMSE=0.14) had the best prediction capability for irregularly shaped Vtwith the highest R^(2), BIC(-37.96), and EF(0.96), and produced a smaller ME(0.006) and MAE(1.177) compared to other models. The prediction accuracy was 93.18%.Conclusions: TLS point cloud RI has a potential for nondestructively measuring irregularly shaped trunk structures of P. euphratica and developed Vtprediction models. The multivariate models more effectively predicted Vtfor irregularly shaped trees compared to one-way and general volume models.

Genome-Wide Analysis of the KANADI Gene Family and Its Expression Patterns under Different Nitrogen Concentrations Treatments in Populus trichocarpa

KANADI(KAN)is a plant-specific gene that controlled the polarity development of lateral organs.It mainly acted on the abaxial characteristics of plants to make the lateral organs asymmetrical.However,it had been less identified in woody plants.In this study,the members of the KAN gene family in Populus trichocarpa were identified and analyzed using the bioinformatics method.The results showed that a total of 8 KAN family members were screened out,and each member contained the unique GARP domain and conserved region of the family proteins.Phylogenetic analysis and their gene structures revealed that all KAN genes from P.trichocarpa,Arabidopsis thaliana,and Nicotiana benthamiana could be divided into four subgroups,while the eight genes in P.trichocarpa were classified into three subgroups,respectively.The analysis of tissue-specific expression indicated that PtKAN1 was highly expressed in young leaves,PtKAN6 was highly expressed in young leaves and mature leaves,PtKAN2,PtKAN5,and PtKAN7 were highly expressed in nodes and internodes,PtKAN8 was highly expressed in roots,and PtKAN3 and PtKAN4 showed low expression levels in all tissues.Among them,PtKAN2 and PtKAN6,and PtKAN4 and PtKAN5 might have functional redundancy.Under high nitrogen concentrations,PtKAN2 and PtKAN8 were highly expressed in mature stems and leaves,respectively,while PtKAN4,PtKAN5,and PtKAN7 were highly expressed in roots.This study laid a theoretical foundation for further study of the KAN genemediated nitrogen effect on root development.

Two response patterns to negative environmental changes:Cases from Populus and Metasequoia

Traditionally,plant distribution is thought to be closely related to environmental factors.But recently,it is found that Populus,quite different from other plant taxa,adapted to negative environmental changes,and successfully migrated to different climate zones from its origin places of warm temperate zone.Conversely,Metasequoia is gradually tending to extinction from the Miocene to Quaternary.Based on above contrary cases,two response patterns of plant to negative environmental changes are proposed.One is active adaptation represented by Populus,the other is passive adaptation represented by Metasequoia.The plants of passive strategy characterized for desert prevention might be easily replaced by those of active strategy characterized for desert utilization.Fast growing plants,such as Populus with characteristics of drought and salt tolerance,wind and sand resistance,are selected in Tarim Basin in southern Xinjiang,China,as a good example of desert utilization in the construction of new highways and towns,not only serve as farmland shelterbelt in sandy area.In addition,Populus with high-altitude and cold adaptation has also been selected as an ideal tree planted in Tibet.Therefore,the idea of using Populus as one of the preferred pioneer trees to colonize Mars is proposed.

Fine Root Distribution Characteristics of Populus cathayana Plantations at Different Ages in Alpine Sandy Land

[Objectives]The paper was to study the fine root distribution characteristics of Populus cathayana plantations at different ages in alpine sandy land.[Methods]With 5,10,15,20,and 25 years old P.cathayana plantation in the eastern margin of Gonghe Basin,Qinghai Province as the research objects,fine roots were collected by root core drilling method,and the differences of fine root biomass,root length density,average diameter and root tip number at the soil depths of 0-20,20-40,40-60,60-80 and 80-100 cm were analyzed.[Results]The total biomass density of P.cathayana plantation was mainly distributed in the soil layer of 0-60 cm,accounting for 76%of the entire soil layer,and its value increased with the increase in forest age.With the increase in different forest ages,the root length density,average diameter and root tip number of living fine roots in the soil layer of 0-60 cm accounted for 74%-81%of the entire soil layer,and the proportions in the soil layers of 60-80 and 80-100 cm were 9%-11%.The biomass density,root length density,average diameter and root tip number of living and dead fine roots of P.cathayana plantation increased with the increase of forest age.The root length density,average diameter and root tip number of P.cathayana fine roots showed a linear function change trend with the growth of forest age,which could be described by the linear function equation y=ax+b(a>0).The analysis results showed that the root length density,average diameter and root tip number of P.cathayana were significantly correlated with the total biomass density of fine roots,and the root length density and average diameter had an extremely positive correlation with the total biomass density.[Conclusions]In the future,P.cathayana plantation should be properly tended to promote the development of fine roots and maximize its ecological benefits.

Establishment of high frequency shoot regeneration system in Himalayan poplar(Populus ciliata Wall. ex Royle) from petiole explants using Thidiazuron cytokinin as plant growth regulator

Populus species are important resources for industry and in scientific study on biological and agricultural systems. Our objective was to enhance the frequency of plant regeneration in Himalayan poplar(Populus ciliata wall. ex Royle). The effect of TDZ alone and in combination with adenine and NAA was studied on the regeneration potential of petiole explants. The explants were excised from Himalayan poplar plants grown in glasshouses. After surface sterilization the explants were cultured on shoot induction medium. High percentage shoot regeneration(86 %) was recorded on MS medium supplemented with 0.004 mg L^-1TDZ and 79.7 mg L^-1adenine. The regenerated shoots for elongation and multiplication were transferred to MS + 0.5 mg L^-1BAP + 0.2 mg L^-1IAA +0.3 mg L-1GA3. Root regeneration from shoots developed in vitro was observed on MS medium supplemented with 0.10 mg L^-1IBA. Himalayan poplar plantlets could be produced within2 months after acclimatization in a sterile mixture of sand and soil. We developed a high efficiency plant regeneration protocol from petiole explants of P. ciliata.

Radial profile of sap flow velocity in mature Xinjiang poplar(Populus alba L. var. pyramidalis) in Northwest China

Estimation of the transpiration rate for a tree is generally based on sap flow measurements within the hydro-active stem xylem. In this study, radial variation of sap flow velocity(Js) was investigated at five depths of the xylem(1, 2, 3, 5 and 8 cm under the cambium) in three mature Xinjiang poplar(Populus alba L. var. pyramidalis) trees grown at the Gansu Minqin National Studies Station for Desert Steppe Ecosystem from May to October 2011. Thermal dissipation probes of various lengths manufactured according to the Granier's design were installed into each tree for simultaneous observation of the radial patterns of Js through the xylem. The radial patterns were found to fit the four-parameter GaussAmp equation. The peak Js was about 27.02±0.95 kg/(dm2?d) at approximately 3 to 5 cm deep from the cambium of the three trees,and the lowest Js appeared at 1 cm deep in most of the time. Approximately 50% of the total sap flow in Xinjiang poplar occurred within one-third of the xylem from its outer radius, whereas 90% of the total sap flow occurred within two-fifth of the xylem. In addition, the innermost point of the xylem(at 8-cm depth), which appeared as the penultimate sap flow in most cases during the study period, was hydro-active with Js,8 of 7.55±3.83 kg/(dm2?d). The radial pattern of Js was found to be steeper in midday than in other time of the day, and steeper diurnal fluctuations were recorded in June, July and August(the mid-growing season). Maximum differences between the lowest Js(Js,1 or Js,8) and the highest Js(Js,3 or Js,5) from May through October were 12.41, 17.35, 16.30, 18.52, 12.60 and 16.04 g/(cm2?h), respectively. The time-dependent changes of Js along the radial profile(except at 1-cm depth) were strongly related to the reference evapotranspiration(ET0). Due to significant radial variability of Js, the mean daily sap flow at the whole-tree level could be over-estimated by up to 29.69% when only a single probe at depth of 2 cm was used. However, the accuracy of the estimation of sap flow in Xinjiang poplar could be significantly improved using a correction coefficient of 0.885.

Importance of oxygen-containing functionalities and pore structures of biochar in catalyzing pyrolysis of homologous poplar

Biochar and bio-oil are produced simultaneously in one pyrolysis process,and they inevitably contact and may interact,influencing the composition of bio-oil and modifying the structure of biochar.In this sense,biochar is an inherent catalyst for pyrolysis.In this study,in order to investigate the influence of functionalities and pore structures of biochar on its capability for catalyzing the conversion of homologous volatiles in bio-oil,three char catalysts(600C,800C,and 800AC)produced via pyrolysis of poplar wood at 600 or 800℃or activated at 800℃,were used for catalyzing pyrolysis of homologous poplar wood at 600℃,respectively.The results indicated that the 600C catalyst was more active than 800C and 800AC for catalyzing cracking of volatiles to form more gas(yield increase by 40.2%)and aromatization of volatiles to form more light or heavy phenolics,due to its abundant oxygen-containing functionalities acting as active sites.The developed pores of the 800AC showed no such catalytic effect but could trap some volatiles and allow their further conversion via sufficient aromatization.Nevertheless,the interaction with the volatiles consumed oxygen on 600C(decrease by 50%),enhancing the aromatic degree and increasing thermal stability.The dominance of deposition of carbonaceous material of a very aromatic nature over 800C and 800AC resulted in net weight gain and blocked micropores but formed additional macropores.The in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy characterization of the catalytic pyrolysis indicated superior activity of 600C for removal of -OH,while conversion of the intermediates bearing C=O was enhanced over all the char catalysts.

The use of the white poplar(Populus alba L.)biomass as fuel

We determined the calorific value of white poplar(Populus alba L.) woody biomass to use it as firewood. The value of 19.133 MJ kg-1obtained experimentally shows that the white poplar can be quite successfully used as firewood. Being of a lower quality in comparison with usual beech firewood, the white poplar has similar calorific value. The white poplar has a calorific density of 30.7 % lower than that of current firewood. That is why the price of this firewood from white poplar is lower accordingly. Also, the prognosis of calorific value on the basis of the main chemical elements, being very close to the experimental value(+2.6 %), indicates an appropriate value can be achieved to be used for investigation with the chemical element analysis.

Somaclonal variations as a mean for obtaining regenerants with different growth rates in poplar (<i>Populus ×berolinensis</i>Dipp.)

Adventive regenerants of Populus × berolinensis Dipp. were obtained on 1/2 MS salts with sucrose, vitamins, BA, TDZ and NAA using stem, petiole and leaf explants. They differed from each other in plantlet dimensions. More than 50 clones were produced from initial regenerants by excision and rooting of apexes and lateral shoots. Differences in stem length and thickness were observed between 200 field plants produced from in vitro plantlets. Differences in stem length were conditioned mainly due to different number of internodes and not by internodes’ lengths. Plants grown from cuttings excised from highest and smallest plants retained the abilities of mother plants to grow with different rates. It is concluded that somaclonal variability can be used for selection of fast growing poplar plants which are necessary for industrial plantations. These plants can be used for this purpose without the limitations existing for transgenic plants.