Genetic variation in aspects of leaf growth of Populus clones , using the leaf plastochron index

Leaf growth characteristics of seven clones of Populustrichocarpa, P. nigra, and interspecific hybrids with P. deltoides were examined on 1-year-old cuttings grown in a controlled-environment growth chamber. The plastochron index, a morphological time scale that is a linear function of time and correlated with other morphogenetic and physiological developmental processes, was applied to this development and growth study. Uniformity of leaf initiation was studied; new leaves were initiated at regular time intervals, at least under the controlled conditions of this study. Clones with a high leaf production rate (e.g., P. nigra clone Italica) had a low leaf growth rate and leaves reached maturity at a high leaf plastochron index (LPI 11). Fast-growing and high-yielding P. trichocarpa × P. deltoides hybrids showed the highest leaf growth rates and had a similar leaf production rate to P. trichocarpa. Despite considerable differences in leaf production rates, leaf maturity, and absolute leaf growth rates, only small differences in relative leaf growth rate were observed among the clones.