Estimating genetic flow between exotic and native poplar species in Québec

Notre étude a consisté à détecter et à quantifier, le cas échéant, la présence de flux génique entre des peupliers à composantes exotiques et leurs cousines indigènes. Nous avons récolté sur deux sites différents (Matane et Sorel) et sur deux à trois années consécutives, des graines provenant d’arbres-mères des espèces indigènes, Populus balsamifera et P. deltoides, situés autour de plantations de peupliers à composantes exotiques. Nous avons génotypé les graines à l’aide de marqueurs génétiques spécifiques de ces espèces. Ceci nous a permis de détecter la présence d’allèles provenant des arbres mâles à composantes exotiques de la plantation au sein des graines récoltées sur les arbres-mères indigènes présents autour de ces plantations. Nos résultats ont ainsi révélé la présence d’hybridation entre les arbres indigènes et les arbres à composantes exotiques des plantations. Cette hybridation spontanée pourrait affecter à plus long terme la constitution génétique des populations locales des espèces indigènes.The goal of this study was to detect and quantify, when necessary, the presence of gene flow between poplars with exotic components and their native relatives. Seeds were collected from native mother trees, Populus balsamifera and P. deltoides, located in the surroundings of plantations of poplars with exotic components, in two different sites (Matane and Sorel) and during two to three consecutive years. We genotyped these seeds using genetic markers specific for these species. This method allowed us to detect, in the seeds collected from native mother trees present around these plantations, the presence of alleles brought about from male trees with exotic components located within the plantations. Our results revealed the presence of hybridization between native trees and trees with exotic components from the plantations. This spontaneous hybridization could affect in the long term the genetic constitution of local populations of native species

Short Rotation Woody Crop Production Systems for Ecosystem Services and Phytotechnologies

While international efforts in the development of short rotation woody crops (SRWCs) have historically focused on the production of biomass for bioenergy, biofuels, and bioproducts, research and deployment over the past decade has expanded to include broader objectives of achieving multiple ecosystem services. In particular, silvicultural prescriptions developed for SRWCs have been refined to include woody crop production systems for environmental benefits such as carbon sequestration, water quality and quantity, and soil health. In addition, current systems have been expanded beyond traditional fiber production to other environmental technologies that incorporate SRWCs as vital components for phytotechnologies, urban afforestation, ecological restoration, and mine reclamation. In this Special Issue of the journal Forests, we explore the broad range of current research dedicated to our topic: International Short Rotation Woody Crop Production Systems for Ecosystem Services and Phytotechnologie

End-use related physical and mechanical properties of selected fast-growing poplar hybrids (Populus trichocarpa x P-deltoides)

This study focused on physical and mechanical properties of fast-growing poplar clones in relation to potential end uses with high added value. A total of 14 trees from three different clones, all P. trichocarpa x deltoides (T x D) hybrids, were felled in a poplar plantation in Lille (Belgium): six 'Beaupre', four 'Hazendans' and four 'Hoogvorst'. Growth rate was found to have no significant influence on the physical mechanical properties. Although the investigated clones are genetically closely related, important variations in physical and mechanical properties were observed. Specific features such as spatial distribution of tension wood and dimensional stability are the main quality factors. It was concluded that 'Beaupre' is suitable for a wide range of high value added applications, such as plywood or construction wood. 'Hazendans' and 'Hoogvorst' will need adapted technology in processing. Further research is needed to characterize clonally induced variation in properties and to assess adequate processing strategies for multiclonal poplar stands

Growth and Development of Short Rotation Woody Crops for Rural and Urban Applications

Integrating biomass production of short rotation woody crops (SRWCs), with their use in environmental applications to produce income, sequester carbon, and clean the environment, provides an opportunity to enhance livelihoods and increase ecosystem services in rural and urban communities. This book consists of 20 papers from the special issue on the Growth and Development of SRWCs for Rural and Urban Applications highlighting four genera (Phalaris L., Populus L., Robinia L., Salix L.) from 13 countries. In addition to the development and management of a Salix cultivar database, rural and urban applications represented in the book included: a) forest buffers, b) forest health screening, c) phytoremediation, d) short rotation coppice, e) volume production, and f) wastewater reuse

Continental-scale assessment of genetic diversity and population structure in quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides)

Aim: Quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) has the largest natural distribution of any tree native to North America. The primary objectives of this study were to characterize range-wide genetic diversity and genetic structuring in quaking aspen, and to assess the influence of glacial history and rear-edge dynamics. Location: North America. Methods: Using a sample set representing the full longitudinal and latitudinal extent of the species’ distribution, we examined geographical patterns of genetic diversity and structuring using 8 nuclear microsatellite loci in 794 individuals from 30 sampling sites. Results: Two major genetic clusters were identified across the range: a southwestern cluster and a northern cluster. The south-western cluster, which included two subclusters, was bounded approximately by the Continental Divide to the east and the southern extent of the ice sheet at the Last Glacial Maximum to the north. Subclusters were not detected in the northern cluster, despite its continent-wide distribution. Genetic distance was significantly correlated with geographical distance in the south-western but not the northern cluster, and allelic richness was significantly lower in south-western sampling sites compared with northern sampling sites. Population structuring was low overall, but elevated in the south-western cluster. Main conclusions: Aspen populations in the south-western portion of the range are consistent with expectations for a historically stable edge, with low within-population diversity, significant geographical population structuring, and little evidence of northward expansion. Structuring within the southwestern cluster may result from distinct gene pools separated during the Pleistocene and reunited following glacial retreat, similar to patterns found in other forest tree species in the western USA. In aspen, populations in the southwestern portion of the species range are thought to be at particularly high risk of mortality with climate change. Our findings suggest that these same populations may be disproportionately valuable in terms of both evolutionary potential and conservation value

Juvenile growth of hybrid poplars on acidic boreal soil determined by environmental effects of soil preparation, vegetation control, and fertilization

The silviculture of hybrid poplars and other fast-growing tree species is a promising solution to reduce the pressure on natural forests while maintaining wood supplies to industries. However, hybrid poplars are very sensitive to competing vegetation and to inadequate soil conditions and fertility. Possible management tools include mechanical site preparation (MSP), vegetation control (VC), and fertilization. Experimental plantations of hybrid poplars (one clone, Populus balsamea×Populus maximowiczii) were established at eight formerly forested sites on acidic soil in the southern boreal forest of Quebec, Canada. The objective was to test the response of hybrid poplars to the interaction of several silvicultural tools, which has been rarely done. FourMSPtreatments (in decreasing order of intensity: mounding, harrowing, heavy disk trenching, light disk trenching) and a control (unprepared) were all combined with four different frequencies of plant competition control by brushing (from never up to once a year). Fertilization with N or N+ P was also tested in three selected MSP treatments. After five years, hybrid poplar tree growth among MSP treatments increased in the following order: unprepared < light disk trenching < heavy disk trenching < harrowing < mounding. MSP was also essential in favouring early tree survival, as illustrated by mortality rates of over 20% in unprepared plots and below 5% in all other MSP treatments. The effect of competition control on hybrid poplar growth was greatest in the less intensive MSP treatments, where competing vegetation was the most abundant. On the contrary, fertilization effect was significant only in the most intensive MSP (mounding). Moreover, neither fertilization nor VC could compensate for inadequate soil preparation. Of all the silvicultural treatments tested, mounding provided the best tree growth despite a nitrogen and carbon impoverished surface soil

Growth and nutrient efficiency of Betula alnoides clones in response to phosphorus supply

As phosphorus deficiency limits the productivity of many plantation forests in Asia, there is considerable interest in developing phosphorus-efficient clones for the region through targeted breeding programs. Therefore, we determined growth, nutrient concentrations and nutrient absorption and utility efficiencies of four Betula alnoides clones (C5, C6, 1-202 and BY1) in response to six phosphorus levels of 0, 17, 52, 70, 140 and 209 mg P plant-1 coded as P1 to P6, respectively. Maximum growth occurred in the P4, P5 and P6 plants since they had the largest height, biomass, leaf area and branch number. Phosphorus application increased the phosphorus concentrations of all clones. Nutrient loading was achieved with the P6 treatment because growth and biomass were not significantly higher, but root, stem and leaf phosphorus concentrations were approximately twice those of P4 plants. Clone BY1 had the highest phosphorus-efficiency, and is recommended for field application due to its maximum root collar diameter, biomass, root/shoot ratio, leaf area, nutrient absorption and utility efficiency among the four clones. The findings will help to improve the nutrient efficiency of this species in plantation forestry in Asia