Early performance of various poplar clones

There are natural poplar species (Populus alba, Populus tremula, Populus nigra, Populus euphratica) and foreign poplar species (Hybrıd Poplar, American Black Poplar)'in our country. Hybrıd Poplar, American Black Poplar are cultivated in our temperate regions. Rust fungus (Melampsora alli - populina Kleb.) is a factor that adversely affects the development of poplar. This fungus infect leaves and thereby decrease diameter and height growth. Some clones of Hybrıd Poplar and American Black Poplar are known to show resistance to the rust fungus. In this study, well growing and rust fungi tolerant clones were aimed to determine at early field stage. Thirteen clones were used in the trial sites. These clones were selected from the material parcels of Poplar and Fast Growing Forest Trees Research Institute. The study was carried out at three different site (Kocaeli-İzmit, Bursa-Yenişehir and KırklareliLüleburgaz) and randomized block design with tree replication were used at ech site. Planting density was 4914 plants/ha. Two-year diameter, height measurements were made and basal area increments ware calculated using diameter measurements Uredosorus counts of rust mushrooms were also measured. Statistics analyses showed that 89.M.004, 89.M.063, 89.M.044, OSTIA and PY-202 clones have high growt values and more tolerance to the rust mushroom. Keywords: American black poplar, Clone, Growth, Hybrid poplar, Rust fungi.