Comparative Study on Growth Characteristics and Early Selection Efficiency of Hybrid Offspring of <i>Populus deltoides</i> ‘DD-109’ and <i>P. maximowiczii</i> in Liaoning, China

Poplar is an important tree species for timber supply and ecological protection in northern China. Cultivating and selecting high-quality varieties and germplasm resources suitable for cultivation are key factors in enhancing the quality and productivity of poplar plantations in the arid and semi-ar...

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Main Authors: Wei Liu, Chenggong Liu, Yan Zhang, Jinhua Li, Jiabao Ji, Xiaorui Qin, Fenfen Liu, Chengcheng Gao, Nairui Wang, Xueli Zhang, Ning Liu, Rusheng Peng, Qinjun Huang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Plants
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/1/111
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author Wei Liu
Chenggong Liu
Yan Zhang
Jinhua Li
Jiabao Ji
Xiaorui Qin
Fenfen Liu
Chengcheng Gao
Nairui Wang
Xueli Zhang
Ning Liu
Rusheng Peng
Qinjun Huang
author_facet Wei Liu
Chenggong Liu
Yan Zhang
Jinhua Li
Jiabao Ji
Xiaorui Qin
Fenfen Liu
Chengcheng Gao
Nairui Wang
Xueli Zhang
Ning Liu
Rusheng Peng
Qinjun Huang
author_sort Wei Liu
collection DOAJ
description Poplar is an important tree species for timber supply and ecological protection in northern China. Cultivating and selecting high-quality varieties and germplasm resources suitable for cultivation are key factors in enhancing the quality and productivity of poplar plantations in the arid and semi-arid northern regions with shorter growing seasons. This study conducted a field cultivation experiment on 10 progeny clones from the direct cross (D × M) of imported <i>Populus deltoides</i> ‘DD-109’ with <i>Populus maximowiczii</i> and 7 progeny clones from the reciprocal cross (M × D) using one-year-old rooted cuttings planted at a 4 m × 8 m spacing. Based on 17 years of annual growth observations, the study systematically compared growth characteristics, age of quantitative maturity, path relationships between traits, and early selection efficiency in the hybrid offspring. The results indicated that the D × M population had superior diameter at breast height (DBH), tree height (H), and volume (V) compared to the M × D population, while the height-to-diameter ratio (HDR) was lower. The growth rate of the 17 clones peaked from 10 to 14 years, with annual volume growth increments (PAIs) higher than mean annual volume increments (MAIs) during the early growth stages; the quantitative maturity age ranged between 12 and 16 years. The D × M population generally reached quantitative maturity earlier than the M × D population, with the fastest clone maturing in 12 years. Four clones (DM-9-17, DM-9-18, DM-9-14, and MD-61) showed values for V, DBH, H, and HDR above the hybrid group average. Path analysis demonstrated that DBH had the most significant direct and indirect effects on V, suggesting it as the best predictor for V. Using DBH as a reference, correlation and early selection efficiency analysis showed a strong relationship between growth characteristics at planting years 4–5 and later-stage performance, indicating this as the optimal period for early selection. These findings contribute to evaluating the production potential of <i>P. deltoides</i> ‘DD-109’ and <i>P. maximowiczii</i> germplasm in northern China and provide valuable guidance for selecting poplar clones suitable for local cultivation, accelerating breeding processes, and informing management planning for poplar plantations.
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spelling doaj-art-d72af33fbd894bf1bbffb0a0255573122025-08-20T02:47:09ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472025-01-0114111110.3390/plants14010111Comparative Study on Growth Characteristics and Early Selection Efficiency of Hybrid Offspring of <i>Populus deltoides</i> ‘DD-109’ and <i>P. maximowiczii</i> in Liaoning, ChinaWei Liu0Chenggong Liu1Yan Zhang2Jinhua Li3Jiabao Ji4Xiaorui Qin5Fenfen Liu6Chengcheng Gao7Nairui Wang8Xueli Zhang9Ning Liu10Rusheng Peng11Qinjun Huang12Liaoning Provincial Research Institute of Poplar, Gaizhou 115213, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Research Institute of Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, ChinaLiaoning Provincial Research Institute of Poplar, Gaizhou 115213, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Research Institute of Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, ChinaLiaoning Provincial Research Institute of Poplar, Gaizhou 115213, ChinaShandong Territorial and Spatial Planning Institute, Jinan 250013, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Research Institute of Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Research Institute of Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, ChinaLiaoning Provincial Research Institute of Poplar, Gaizhou 115213, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Research Institute of Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Research Institute of Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, ChinaLiaoning Provincial Research Institute of Poplar, Gaizhou 115213, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Research Institute of Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, ChinaPoplar is an important tree species for timber supply and ecological protection in northern China. Cultivating and selecting high-quality varieties and germplasm resources suitable for cultivation are key factors in enhancing the quality and productivity of poplar plantations in the arid and semi-arid northern regions with shorter growing seasons. This study conducted a field cultivation experiment on 10 progeny clones from the direct cross (D × M) of imported <i>Populus deltoides</i> ‘DD-109’ with <i>Populus maximowiczii</i> and 7 progeny clones from the reciprocal cross (M × D) using one-year-old rooted cuttings planted at a 4 m × 8 m spacing. Based on 17 years of annual growth observations, the study systematically compared growth characteristics, age of quantitative maturity, path relationships between traits, and early selection efficiency in the hybrid offspring. The results indicated that the D × M population had superior diameter at breast height (DBH), tree height (H), and volume (V) compared to the M × D population, while the height-to-diameter ratio (HDR) was lower. The growth rate of the 17 clones peaked from 10 to 14 years, with annual volume growth increments (PAIs) higher than mean annual volume increments (MAIs) during the early growth stages; the quantitative maturity age ranged between 12 and 16 years. The D × M population generally reached quantitative maturity earlier than the M × D population, with the fastest clone maturing in 12 years. Four clones (DM-9-17, DM-9-18, DM-9-14, and MD-61) showed values for V, DBH, H, and HDR above the hybrid group average. Path analysis demonstrated that DBH had the most significant direct and indirect effects on V, suggesting it as the best predictor for V. Using DBH as a reference, correlation and early selection efficiency analysis showed a strong relationship between growth characteristics at planting years 4–5 and later-stage performance, indicating this as the optimal period for early selection. These findings contribute to evaluating the production potential of <i>P. deltoides</i> ‘DD-109’ and <i>P. maximowiczii</i> germplasm in northern China and provide valuable guidance for selecting poplar clones suitable for local cultivation, accelerating breeding processes, and informing management planning for poplar plantations.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/1/111poplardirect and reciprocal cross progenyquantitative mature agepath analysisearly selection efficiency
spellingShingle Wei Liu
Chenggong Liu
Yan Zhang
Jinhua Li
Jiabao Ji
Xiaorui Qin
Fenfen Liu
Chengcheng Gao
Nairui Wang
Xueli Zhang
Ning Liu
Rusheng Peng
Qinjun Huang
Comparative Study on Growth Characteristics and Early Selection Efficiency of Hybrid Offspring of <i>Populus deltoides</i> ‘DD-109’ and <i>P. maximowiczii</i> in Liaoning, China
Plants
poplar
direct and reciprocal cross progeny
quantitative mature age
path analysis
early selection efficiency
title Comparative Study on Growth Characteristics and Early Selection Efficiency of Hybrid Offspring of <i>Populus deltoides</i> ‘DD-109’ and <i>P. maximowiczii</i> in Liaoning, China
title_full Comparative Study on Growth Characteristics and Early Selection Efficiency of Hybrid Offspring of <i>Populus deltoides</i> ‘DD-109’ and <i>P. maximowiczii</i> in Liaoning, China
title_fullStr Comparative Study on Growth Characteristics and Early Selection Efficiency of Hybrid Offspring of <i>Populus deltoides</i> ‘DD-109’ and <i>P. maximowiczii</i> in Liaoning, China
title_full_unstemmed Comparative Study on Growth Characteristics and Early Selection Efficiency of Hybrid Offspring of <i>Populus deltoides</i> ‘DD-109’ and <i>P. maximowiczii</i> in Liaoning, China
title_short Comparative Study on Growth Characteristics and Early Selection Efficiency of Hybrid Offspring of <i>Populus deltoides</i> ‘DD-109’ and <i>P. maximowiczii</i> in Liaoning, China
title_sort comparative study on growth characteristics and early selection efficiency of hybrid offspring of i populus deltoides i dd 109 and i p maximowiczii i in liaoning china
topic poplar
direct and reciprocal cross progeny
quantitative mature age
path analysis
early selection efficiency
url https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/1/111
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