Variation and Genetic Correlation in Growth and Branching Characters of <I>Populus deltoides</I> Bartr. Clones

Abstract

The function of proleptic branch, sylleptic branch and early bud-break were observed for contributing diameter and height growth potentials for the Populus deltoides clones from 12 provinces of United States. The variance components, heritability estimates and genetic correlation for growth and branching traits were investigated at the age one and two for 100 best clones belonging to 17 families planted in complete randomized block design with three replications. The clones T₄₃, T₄₄, T₃₃, T₄₈, T₄₅ followed by T₃₈ exhibited better performances for the traits like BRPD and dbh. Trends in genetic and phenotypic parameters for growth and branching traits during early stages to obtain information necessary to scrutinize and seek manageable clones for early selection have been studied.