The objective of this study was to select poplar clones with enhanced survival rate and potential for advanced growth for combating desertification in Inner Mongolia autonomous region. Establishment of research sites to combat desertification in Inner Mongolia, China for long-term monitoring analysis and the conclusions of propagation experiments through propagation were determined.
After establishment of research sites in Inner Mogolia, China, long-term monitoring results of 7 domestic hybrid poplar clones from China and 7 exotic hybrid poplar clones introduced from USA and Europe are presented. The survival rates of Beikang, 110, Hanan, DN-34, Simplot clones in the final year were excellent with 30.8%, 26.8%, 25.6%, 36.4% and 28% respectively. Examining the changes of height and DBH, poor growth characteristics were observed for 84K clone in domestic hybrid poplar clones and 306-45, 50-197 clones in exotic hybrid poplar clones.
Examination of physiological characteristics in 2011, showed photosynthetic rate of domestic hybrid poplar clones to be higher than 9 μmol m-2s-1 except for 107, 108, 84K clones. These results prove the domestic hybrid clones to be better than exotic hybrid clones. Water use efficiency for domestic hybrid clones were observed to be better where Hanan and 109 clones had the highest value of 2.9.
On the other hand, analysis of survival rate showed a 0.726 correlation coefficient for domestic hybrid poplar clones between 2nd year and 8th year. Linear regression analysis of the results obtained were significant. Growth correlation matrix between 2nd year and 8th year for height, DBH and volume changes were not significant.
Comprehensive analysis results of long-term monitoring measurement show that Hanan, Beikang, 110, DN-34 clones have a high early survival rate, height and DBH. These characteristics when continuously expressed for a long period are considered to be appropriate for poplar clones to combat the desertification in Inner Mongolia, China.
Hence, cutting propagation of poplar clones is considered to enable poplar clone propagation which has percentage of rooting from cuttings in TKS-2 and perlite soil conditions after IBA 10 ppm treatment with affluent biomass.
Therefore, for poplar afforestation to combat desertification in Inner Mongolia, China, Hanan, Beikang, 110 clones in domestic hybrid poplar clones in China and DN-34 clone which is a D×N hybrid in Exotic hybrid poplar clones introduced from USA and Europe are considered to be appropriate. Additionally, mass propagation is better when cuttings are treated with IBA 10 ppm in TKS-2 and perlite soil.