The genotypes of 21 clones of 18 Populus × canadensis Moench cultivars ('Baden 431', 'Blanc du Poitou', 'Canada Blanc', 'DN44', 'Dorskamp 925', 'Eugenei', 'Gelrica', 'Grandis', 'Heidemij', 'I-55/56', 'I-132/56', 'I-262', 'Jacometti', 'Ostia', 'Regenerata', 'Robusta', 'Steckby', and 'Zurich 03/3') were determined for 31 allozyme loci coding for 9 enzyme systems in root tips. Horizontal starch gel electrophoresis was used to assay the enzymes. All clones had allozyme gene and allele contribution from both P. deltoides Marsh, and P. nigra L. The interclonal allozyme variability was controlled by nine loci. 'Canada Blanc' and 'Ostia' shared the same 31-locus genotypes, whereas each of the remaining 19 clones, including 3 clones of 'Robusta' and 2 clones of 'Jacometti', had unique multilocus genotypes. On average, unique genotypes differed from each other at 3.59 loci. Principal-component analysis of the clonal genotypes at 9 variable loci indicated 4 loci (Idh-2, Idh-3, Mdh-4, and Idh-1) to be the most discriminating among the clones. The first two principal components accounted for 48% of the total variance in the nine loci. Clones on the principal component analysis ordination (principal components 1 and 2) were separated into 3 groups; 14 belonged to one group and 5 to a second group. 'Blanc du Poitou' was widely separated from all others. 'Canada Blanc' and 'Steckby' showed the highest genetic interrelationships. Three 'Robusta' clones and two 'Jacometti' clones were in the same group., The interrelationships among the clones based on allozyme genotypes were in general agreement with their speculated origin and (or) morphology.Key words: Populus × canadensis, allozymes, multilocus genotypes, clone–cultivar identification, clone relationships.

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The technique of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fingerprinting was used to differentiate species and identify clones of 15 poplar and 15 willow clones (ramets of three poplar clones were also included to verify the stability of the results). Four random DNA primers (Deca-11, Chl-1, Chl-4 and Chl-10) and an M13 universal primer were used to determine DNA polymorphism among the clones. Based on the DNA banding pattern obtained with the four DNA primers by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification we conclude that RAPD fingerprinting with properly selected primers can be used for clonal and species differentiation of poplar and willow. The technique is simple, accurate and inexpensive.

Isoenzyme studies were conducted on root tips of 200 Populustremuloides clones selected from eight geographic regions (populations) along north–south and east–west transects in Ontario. Starch gel electrophoresis was used to assay crude enzyme extracts from young root rips of rooted suckers obtained from the clones sampled. A total of 15 isozyme loci coding for eight different enzyme systems were resolved. The mean of total gene diversity was 0.252. An average of 79% of the loci were polymorphic in any one population, with an average of 2.7 alleles per locus. More than 90% of the genetic variability could be attributed to within-population differentiation. A deficiency of observed heterozygotes was calculated for all populations studied. The fixation index averaged 0.462. The genetic distance estimates among populations had an overall mean of 0.103. There was no correlation between genetic and geographic distances. Results of this study suggest this species in its Ontario range is genetically variable and moderately differentiated.