LAUSR

Wood properties are crucial for the development and application of poplar clones. Here, the effects of clone and age on anatomical and chemical properties were analyzed in eight poplar clones (clone 50, Zhonglin46, 108, 36, N179, Danhong, Sangju, and Nanyang) from Henan province, China. The results showed that the effects of clone and age were both significant for these wood properties. Eight clones were grouped into three clusters according to their annual ring width, fiber quality, and chemical properties. For some properties including annual ring width, fiber length, and microfibril angle, all clones displayed the same radial variation trends. Whereas, for other ones, such as holocellulose content, the radial variation trends were different depending on clones. The culmination of the mean annual increment corresponded to the turning ages of wood properties such as annual ring width in eight clones and holocellulose content in partial clones except for fiber length, microfibril angle, and vessel length. The rotation age of the poplar clones could be determined as 8-9 years based on the fiber quality and chemical components. These results indicated strong genetic and age control of the wood properties and highlighted the rich source of variation for poplar clone selection.