Changes through time in traits of poplar clones in selection trials

Growth, survival, stem characteristics, resistance to wind, and canker disease of 51 poplar clones were evaluated at age 9 and 10 years, and compared to measurements at age 3 in two trials on the Lower Valley of the Colorado River, Argentina. About 30% of the clones in both trials had large changes in growth rankings at age 9 and 10 compared to rankings at age 3. Canker incidence increased about 4-fold between age 3, and measurements at age 9 and 10. Stem form was in general satisfactory, and wind incidence was almost nil. In trial 1, clones 588–1, Conti 12, 582–41, and 582–5 occupied the upper positions in the growth rankings at age 3 and 10, and the clone 588–1 ranked first both in growth and canker incidence in 1998. Stem growth trajectories of clones with similar growth rates did not differ among clones with, and without canker disease. In trial 2, the range in growth among clones was narrower than in trial 1, and canker disease, although of minor incidence, was present in most clones at age 9. Some of the P. deltoides clones in the trials had similar growth, and less canker disease than the Euroamerican clones commonly grown in the region, but progressive canker incidence should be addressed with additional selection trials.