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Scientia Silvae Sinicae ›› 2026, Vol. 62 ›› Issue (4): 130-141.doi: 10.11707/j.1001-7488.LYKX20250614

• Research papers • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Genetic Variation in Growth and Wood Property Traits from Hybrid Progenies of Populus deltoides

Xinglu Zhou1,2,Lei Zhang1,2,Qinghe Li1,*(),Jianjun Hu1,2,*()   

  1. 1. State Key Laboratory of Efficient Production of Forest Resources Research Institute of Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry Beijing 100091
    2. Collaborative Innovation Center of Sustainable Forestry in Southern China Nanjing Forestry University Nanjing 210037
  • Received:2025-10-13 Online:2026-04-15 Published:2026-04-11
  • Contact: Qinghe Li,Jianjun Hu E-mail:tsinghel@caf.ac.cn;hujj@caf.ac.cn

Abstract:

Objective: This study aims to reveal the variation of growth and wood properties traits in Populus deltoides, and screen high-yielding superior clones, providing a scientific basis for the genetic improvement and efficient utilization of P. deltoides. Method: Four full-sib families and varieties of 10-year-old P. deltoides from a comparison plantation in the Daxing Forest Farm of Beijing were used as experimental materials, and selection of elite clones was conducted based on growth traits such as tree height and diameter at breast height (DBH). Twenty-seven elite clones and new varieties were selected, and the wood properties were measured across different annual rings, including ring width (RW), basic density (BD), microfibril angle (MA), fiber length (FL), and fiber width (FW). Principal component analysis (PCA) was employed for comprehensive evaluation of 27 elite clones. On this basis, the radial variation patterns of wood properties in P. deltoides were further analyzed using annual ring data. The correlation analysis, stepwise regression, and path analysis were comprehensively used to reveal the variation patterns underlying growth and wood property formation. Result: Statistical analysis of growth traits among 242 hybrid progenies showed that there were no significant differences in growth traits among the four full-sib families, whereas there were significant differences in growth traits among elite progenies within each family. Among them, the family P. deltoides ‘Danhong’ × P. deltoides ‘Beiyang’ exhibited the highest genetic gain, with tree height and diameter at breast height (DBH) gain rates reaching 15.27% and 43.61%, respectively. Based on clustering analysis of growth and wood property data, the 27 elite clones were divided into three clusters, which differed markedly in FL, fiber length-to-width ratio (FLR), BD, and growth performance. PCA showed that the first three principal components explained the majority of genetic variation in wood properties. Through PCA-based comprehensive evaluation, five clones with superior wood properties, including P. deltoides ‘Zhonghuai 1’, P. deltoides ‘Zhongcheng 4’, P. deltoides ‘Zhongcheng 2’, P. deltoides ‘Zhonghe 1’, and P. deltoides ‘K25’, were identified. Analysis of annual ring data indicated abundant genetic variation among clones, with relatively high coefficients of variation for RW, MA, and DBH, and relatively low variation for BD and FW. Radial variation analysis indicated that the 4th to 5th year represented the rapid growth stage of P. deltoides, after which wood properties tended to stabilize in maturity. FL, FW, FLR, and BD generally increased from pith to the bark. Correlation analysis showed that there were weak relationships between growth and wood properties in the 9th year, while annual ring-based correlations were relatively complex, and MA exhibited distinct sex-related differences. Further stepwise regression and path analyses indicated that BD and MA exerted the strongest explanatory power on growth, while other traits contributed less. Conclusion: P. deltoides hybrids have substantial variation in growth and wood property traits. Among them, five clones (P. deltoides ‘Zhonghuai 1’, P. deltoides ‘Zhongcheng 4’, P. deltoides ‘Zhongcheng 2’, P. deltoides ‘Zhonghe 1’, and P. deltoides ‘K25’) show superior wood quality. In addition, MA displays a significant sex effect, with female trees showing markedly higher values than males. Wood properties traits are dynamically regulated across developmental stages, with the 4th to 5th year identified as the rapid growth phase. Most wood traits display a radial pattern of gradual increase from pith to bark and stabilize at maturity. BD and MA show consistently high correlations among annual rings and are less affected by tree age, indicating strong potential for early prediction. Collectively, this study provides novel insights into the radial genetic variation of wood properties in P. deltoides hybrids and offers important theoretical and practical guidance for the selection and genetic improvement of elite clones.

Key words: Populus deltoides, wood property traits, radial variation, full-sib family, growth ring

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