Comparative wood anatomy of different black poplar (Populus nigra L.) clone drafts cultivated in Kirşehir state forest nursery

30 Black Poplar (Populus nigra L.) clones selected from different parts of Turkey were used, which were planted in Black Poplar First Selection Test Field in Kırşehir State Forest Nursery. From each clone, transversal, tangential and radial wood sections were taken by using a microtome, and then measurements related with vessel elements and rays were carried out with light microscope. Wood anatomical data obtained from Black Poplar clones were analysed comparatively, and on the basis of the habitats and climatic data, the causes of variation of wood were evaluated. Analysis of variance and Duncan test were made for several anatomical characteristics like the tangential and radial diameter of vessels, vessel frequency, vessel groupings, intervessel pit diameter, ray frequency and maximum ray height in woods of black poplar clones to determine if there is a significant difference. Some quantitative anatomical characteristics of black poplar clones were found to be significantly different. After first selection field experiment in Kırşehir, on the basis of traditional method and criterias, the best successful three black poplar clones selected by Poplar Research Institute of Turkey were N.92.142, N.64.014 and Geyve. With the present study, on the basis of xeromorphy values of clones calculated by using xeromorphy formula, the best successful black poplar clones were the same clones. This study indicated that, in addition to traditional method and criterias used in choosing and assessment of clones evaluated as successful, xeromorphy value which is the indicator of arid habitats and calculated based upon wood anatomy can also be used.