Production physiology and growth potential of poplars under short-rotation forestry culture

The possibility of the genus Populus in reaching impressive growth performance and high productivity levels is partly based on our improved insight in its production physiology at different levels, and on the fact that genetic variability has been optimally tapped and combined with the cultural management regime of short-rotation forestry. The present contribution is primarily a literature review of studies on the production physiology and growth potential of poplar, and on a number of past, and on-going studies concerning short-rotation poplar plantations. The selected studies from which results are being presented incorporate both coppiced and non-coppiced regimes, and field trials on former agricultural land as well as on marginal wasteland or landfill sites. A number of production physiological characteristics are being highlighted for various clones, hybrids and genotypes. The main focus is on the genotypic or clonal differences in the production performance and growth physiology in short-rotation, high-density systems. The point is being made that the optimal combination of superior, selected genotypes with the concept of intensive short-rotation forestry practices is the key to improved yield and productivity levels. Studies on the production physiology of poplar are relevant and crucial to back-up genetic selection programs and to maximize yield levels of short-rotation forestry culture. Poplar is the ideal prototype for such studies, but further research at the plantation or stand scale is still required. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.