The objective of this study was to select poplar clones with high adaptability and potential for advanced growth for combating desertification in Elsen tasarkhai an arid and semi-arid area in Mongolia. Research of cutting propagation and cold-tolerance were tested for poplar clone cuttings.

After the establishment of the research site in Elsen tasarkhai, the first screening was cunducted on 22 types of poplar clones. Based on the survival rate in the second year, DN 002, DN 247, DN 034, DN sim, TN 074, P. sibirica, P. simonii were selected for further studies.

Studies on the morphological factors for clonal selection of the introduced poplar clones included measurement of survival rates, the relative growth rate of heights, collar diameter, characteristics of leaves, dry weights and differences of T/R ratio. As for physiological features, relative moisture content, water potential, photosynthesis and fluorescent reactions were measured. Biochemical analysis measurements included chlorophyll content, proline content, ascorbate and free sugar content.

The measured values for adaptation index led to the decision on the adaptation capacity and the final selection of clones included P. sibirica, DN 034 and DN sim. Selected poplar clone’s adaptation index and the correlation analysis of morphological, biological and biochemical factor measurements revealed that the factors include survival rate, RWC, carotenoid, proline, total chlorophyll, glucose, fructose, and mannitol measured with positive correlations whereas the measured values with negative correlations were T/R ratio, Pn, Ci, Sucrose. DN 247 and TN 074 showed low adaptation capacity value.

For the cutting propagation experiment of the selected poplar clones, the survival rate of cutting seedlings aged c/1-2, T/R rate of height relative growth and dry weight were significantly higher than or similar to seedlings aged c/3-0 and c/2-1. Seedlings aged c/2-1 had heavy dry weight and less deviation by each poplar clone was noted, however high damage was observed since the seedling transplanting duration from the greenhouse to outdoors was delayed by more than a year.


Arid and semi-arid areas of Mongolia are suffering damage caused by low temperatures in early spring when winter hardiness drops. To test for cold-tolerance on the initially selected poplar clones, leakage measurement to be transmitted, TTC restitution rate, sprouting rate and browning rate were examined. Generally, the lower the temperature, the higher the leakage to be transmitted along with the browning rate and the lower the optical density and sprouting rates. The experiment on TTC restitution rate had higher sensitivity than other examinations of winter-hardiness and significant differences were discovered in each of the poplar clones.

Overall, clones considered for application in the afforestation for combating desertification in Elsen tasarkhai were DN 034 and DN sim, which were excellent followed by P. sibirica adjusting to the environment and growth conditions in Elsen tasarkhai, site. For propagating of cutting seedlings, the seedlings aged c/1-2 was favorable in controlling the initial survival, growth and T/R rate. As for the winter-hardiness test, TTC restitution rate test revealed a distinct difference due to the low temperatures.