Nursery Growth Performance Of Newly Developed Superior Clones Of Poplar (Populus deltoides Bartr. Ex Marsh)

New clones of poplar (Populus deltoides) were developed at UHF Nauni and FRI, Dehradun over the last fifteen years. Promising clones were further aimed to screen in the backdrop of two established commercial clones (G-48 and L-200/86) repeatedly for two years (2011 and 2012). Screening for growth traits revealed that 23 clones in plant height and volume index and 22 clones in basal diameter were significantly superior against check clone G-48. Check clone L-200/86 recorded at par plant height with clones 6503, 5303, T-50, T-46, and 1007, at par basal diameter with clones 6503, 1007, T-47, H-11 and T-16 at par volume index with clone 6503. The growth parameters varied significantly among clones and years, except volume index in the year 2012. The clone x year interaction was found non significant. Ranking of clones with respect to different characters changed over the years. Regression values revealed that clones 6503, L200/86 and 1007 gave consistent performance for both the years.