Early root and aboveground biomass development of hybrid poplars (Populusspp.) under drought conditions

Abstract

Currently, the genus Populus is one of the favourite objects for research of molecular genetics of woody plants. A high growth rate and the broadly applicable timber as raw material for different types of products made of wood make poplar attractive for industrial usage. Despite the positive aspect of its growth capacity and wood composition, one major problem in cultivating fast-growing tree species in a forestry plantation system is the comparably high water demand of the plants. In this context, a rapid development of an efficient adventitious root system from dormant hardwood cuttings is an essential requirement for the successful establishment of short-rotation cultures. It reduces the establishment costs of plantations, and the developing plant can be transferred into favourable conditions due to varying environmental conditions. Results of greenhouse pot and soil-column experiments on the development of shoots and adventitious roots from hardwood cuttings of seven hybrid poplar cultivars and the reaction of the plants performance on varying water availability will be presented. We estimated root and shoot length, root and shoot growth and biomass accumulation over time, root-to-shoot length ratio, and root morphological traits.

Regulatory effects of root pruning on leaf nutrients, photosynthesis, and growth of trees in a closed-canopy poplar plantation

“…This also suggests that new roots growing from root incisions were able to strongly absorb soil nutrients. Root pruning in the 10–2 treatment was carried out relatively far from the trunk, which inflicted less damage to the root system and shortened the recovery time of the root; thus, the nutrient content of the leaves increased rapidly compared with CK [ 4 , 26 ]. However, because the stimulation effect of root pruning on the incision was significantly reduced, the amount of new roots and the root absorption area were less compared with other treatments [ 25 , 27 ]; thus, the incremental change in nutrient content in the leaves was not significant during the later stages of the study.…”

Establishment strategies for poplars, including mulch and plant types, on agricultural land in Sweden

“…Future breeding work should take this into account (cf. Monclus et al 2009 ; Krabel et al 2015 ), as well as rooting ability contrary production.…”

In vitro regeneration of two Populus hybrid clones. The role of pectin domains in cell processes underlying shoot organogenesis induction

“…The importance of the regeneration of an efficient adventitious root system with proper morphology and length, which ensures water uptake, has been previously revealed for Populus hardwood cuttings employed in short rotation forestry systems (Zalesny and Zalesny 2009). The major factor limiting the success of these plantations is the delay in root length growth, together with an increasing number of precipitation-free periods during the phase of establishment in field, when developing plants do not have access to groundwater and they do not withstand drought periods (Krabel et al 2015). Thus, to induce rhizogenesis from in vitro regenerated shoots of MC and UNAL we recommend the use of a hormone-free medium, as well as Noël et al (2002) and Mingozzi et al (2008) suggested for several cultivars of Populus.…”