Variation of microfibril angle and its correlation to wood properties in poplars

The microfibril angle of seven poplar clones was determined by using X-ray diffraction technique. Microfibril angle, wood basic density, fiber length, fiber width and cellulose content were assessed for every growth ring at breast height for all sample trees. Significant variation in microfibril angle was observed among growth rings. Mean microfibril angle (MFA) at breast height varied from 7.8?to 28?between growth rings with cambial age and showed a consistent pith-to-bark trend of decline an-gles. Analysis of variance also indicated that there were significant differences in wood basic density, fiber length, fiber width and cellulose content between the growth rings, which had an increasing tendency from pith to bark. Correlations between MFA and examined wood properties were predominantly large and significant negative (?0.01), and the coefficients were -0.660 for cellulose content, -0.586 for fiber length, -0.516 for fiber width and -0.450 for wood basic density, respectively. Regression analysis with linear and curve estimation indicated that a quadratic function showed the largest R2 and the least standard error for describing the relationships between microfibril angle and measured wood properties, and the correlation coefficients were over -0.45 (n=125). The results from this study suggested that microfibril angle would be a good characteristic for improvement in the future breeding program of poplars.

Effects of Light Stress on Oxygen Evolution and Photochemical Energy Stor age of Hybrid Poplar Clones Determined by Photoacoustic Technique

The oxygen evolution, thermal dissipation, and photochemical energy storage of three hybrid poplar clones, namely the triploid clone B342, the diploid clone B11 [(Populus alba×P. glandulosa)×(P.tomentosa×P.bolleana)], and the triploid clone B346 [(P.tomentosa×P. bolleana)×(P. alba×P.glandulosa)], under light stress were studied using photoacoustics. The oxygen evolution signal and photochemical energy storage varied negatively with the pretreatment_PFD (photon flux density), whereas the thermal signal varied positively with the pretreatment_PFD. Photochemical energy storage was reallocated to PSⅡ more than to PSⅠ, while the photochemical energy storage in PSⅠ was more stable than that in PSⅡ when subjected to light stress. The inhibitors streptomycin (SM), dithiothreitol (DTT) and sodium fluoride (NaF) could all affect the oxygen evolution signal. Clones B11 and B342 were more resistant to light stress than clone B346.

Interclonal and within-tree variation in wood properties of poplar clones

The wood basic density, cellulose content and fiber form were investigated for all sample trees at breast height (1.3 m) in seven poplar clones, and at 0 (butt), 5.6, 9.6, 13.6, 17.6, 19.6 and 21.6 m for clone Nanlin-95 and Nanlin-895, respectively, for providing information on variation patterns of wood density, fiber characteristics and holocellulose content within trees and among clones. The results showed that significant variations about wood density, cellulose content, fiber diameter and the ratio of fiber length to diameter existed among poplar clones examined. Variance analysis indicated that there were significant differences in wood basic density, fiber length, fiber diameter and cellulose content among the growth rings, which had an increasing tendency along the direction from pith to bark. The significant differences also existed in wood basic density, fiber length and fiber diameter at different tree height. The mean wood basic density had a general increase trend with increasing height of trees and the lowest was found at the base, while fiber length and fiber diameter had a general decline pattern with increasing height of trees and the biggest value was observed at the height of 5.6 m. Regression analysis indicated that the relationship between examined wood properties and growth ring number (cambial age), and the relationship between examined wood properties and tree height can be described by polynomial functions.

Feeding performance of Clostera fulgurita on three clones of Populus deltoides

Poplar leaf defoliator, Clostera fulgurita （Walker） larvae were reared on three Populus deltoides clones （PL1, PL5 and PL7） in the laboratory. The nutritional indices were computed for working out the relationship between food consumption and growth rate of 3rd, 4th and 5th instar larvae on three clones. The result showed that the consumption index （CI）, approximate digestibility （AD）, growth rate （GR）, relative growth rate （RGR） and efficiency of conversion of ingested food （ECI） decreased with the increase in the age of the larvae. Efficiency of conversion of digested food （ECD） increased with increase in age of the larvae. GR and RGR varied significantly, indicating that larval development was enhanced on PL1 as compared to PL5 ＆ PL7. The values of AD, ECI and ECD were not affected by the different clones. Feeding and growth indices could be useful to define a defoliation prediction model.

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.

Variation of soil enzyme activity and microbial biomass in poplar plantations of different genotypes and stem spacings

To improve the productivity of poplar planta- tions, a field experiment of split-plot design with four tree spacings and three poplar clones was established, and four soil enzyme activities and microbial biomass were monitored in the trial. Soil enzyme activities, in most cases, were significantly higher in topsoil （0-10 cm） than in lower horizons （10-20 cm）. Soil cellulase, catalase and protease activities during the growing season were higher than during the non-growing season, while invertase activity followed the opposite trend. Soil invertase, cellulase and catalase activities varied by poplar clone but soil protease activity did not. Cellulase and protease activities in the plantation at 5 × 5 m spacing were significantly higher than in the other spacings. The highest catalase activity was recorded at 6 × 6 m spacing. At the same planting density, invertase activity was greater in square spacings than in rectangular spacings. Soil microbial biomass was also significantly affected by seedling spacing and poplar clone. The mean soil MBC was significantly lower in topsoil than in the lower horizon, while MBN showed the opposite pattern. Significantly positive correlations were observed among soil cellulase, protease and catalase activities （p 〈0.01）, whereas soil invertase activity was negatively and significantly correlated with cellulase, protease and catalase activities （p 〈 0.01）. Soil microbial biomass and enzyme activities were not correlated except for a significantly negative correlation between soil MBC and catalase activities. Variations in soil enzyme activity and microbial biomass in different poplar plantations suggest that genotype and planting spacing should be considered when modeling soil nutrient dynamics and managing for long-term site productivity.

Drought tolerance in three hybrid poplar clones submitted to different watering regimes

Aims Poplars grownin North Chinamay experience water-deficient periods in their life cycle.The aim of the present paper was to quantify the response of three clones to different watering regimes and to determine whichcloneamongthe three is the best adapted to drought conditions.Methods Three hybrid poplar clones(clone DN-34,R-247 and OP-367)were used in the present experiment.The seedlings of the three clones were grown under four watering regimes:control(well watered,100%field water capacity(FC))and three drought treatments(drought stress I,50%FC;drought stress II,40%FC;drought stress III,30%FC).Changes in morphological,physical and biochemical indicators of the three hybrid poplar clones were investigated.Important Findings Drought treatment(50%,40%and 30%FC)decreased net photosynthetic rate(Pn),transpiration rate(Tr),stomatal conductance(gs),shoot height,total biomass and chlorophyll(Chl)content in all the three clones and it increased activities of antioxidant enzymes and free proline content.The highest values of the above-mentioned morphological and physiological parameters were recorded in clone OP-367 under 30%FC,followed by clone DN-34 and R-247.Relative leaf water content(RWC)and stem diameter(sd)markedly declined in clone R-247 and DN-34 under drought stress I,II and III,whereas RWC and sd declined in clone OP-367 only under drought stress II and III.Clone OP-367 had more RWC and sd than DN-34 and R-247.Only the 30%FC induced an increase in the root-to-shoot ratio(rs)and water use efficiency(WUE)in all the three clones.OP-367 was the most efficient clone in water absorption and use,for plants of the clone had the highest values of rs and WUE.Our data demonstrate that among the three clones,OP-367 was better able to maintain photosynthesis and growth and lower the damage caused by drought.