Assessment of Three Fast Growing Populus Deltoides Species in Various Soil Profiles Under Nursery Conditions

Abstract

Populus plants arefast-growing plants that exhibit strong adaptability and a short rotation period. Poplar enhanced the carbon stock, which ultimately helps in combating climate change and sustaining livelihoods. Pakistan has a shortage of firewood and timber. Thus, hybrid fast-growing plants are the only way to balance wood demand and supply in the country. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to evaluate and compare the growth patterns and carbon stocks of three Populus deltoides varieties in three soil media under nursery conditions. To achieve the study goals, three fast-growing hybrid species of Populus deltoides, Italian Populus (euramerciana), clone A-Y48, and local Populus were used. Three healthy plants of mothers aged one to two years were selected from the field area of the Rangeland Research Institute (RRI), NARC. The cuttings were planted in 90 pots after being filled with three different media, and plant growth was recorded after seven days for the number of leaves, height, diameter, and number of irrigations applied to each pot. Three-month data were collected and analyzed by using an RCBD design. After the trial, all the plants were exhausted, and soil samples were taken from the pots and brought to the RRI laboratory for the estimation of total biomass and carbon stocks. It was concluded that Clone AY-48 achieved the highest height among all the Populus deltoides varieties and stored more carbon stock in comparison to Italian and local poplar varieties. Farmyard manure had a positive influence on the height of the different Populus deltoides varieties. Clone AY-48 and Italian poplar plants are more suitable for rapidgrowth.