Genetic improvement and evaluation of black cottonwood for short- rotation biomass production. Final report, 1987--1992

Technical Report · Fri Apr 30 04:00:00 EDT 1993

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/277085· OSTI ID:277085

Stettler, R F; Hinckley, T M ^[1]; Heilman, P E ^[2]; Bradshaw, Jr, H D ^[3]

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1. Washington Univ., Seattle, WA (United States). Coll. of Forest Resources
2. Washington State Univ., Puyallup, WA (United States). Research and Extension Center
3. Washington Univ., Seattle, WA (United States). Dept. of Biochemistry

This project was initiated in 1978 to serve three objectives: (1) develop genetically improved poplar cultivars offering increased productivity under short-rotation culture; (2) identify the major components of productivity in poplar and determine ways in which they can be manipulated, genetically and culturally; and (3) engage in technology transfer to regional industry and agencies so as to make poplar culture in the Pacific Northwest economically feasible. The project is aimed at capturing natural variation in the native black cottonwood. Populus trichocarpa T & G, and enhancing it through selective breeding. Major emphasis has been placed on hybridization of black cottonwood with P deltoides and P maximowiczii, more recently with p nigra. First-generation (F{sub 1}) hybrids have consistently outperformed black cottonwood by a factor of 1.5.-2. The high yields of woody biomass obtained from these clonally propagated hybrids, in rotations of 4-7 years, have fostered the establishment of large-scale plantations by the pulp and paper industry in the region. Physiological studies have helped to elucidate hybrid superiority and several of the underlying mechanisms.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States); Washington Univ., Seattle, WA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-96OR22464
• OSTI ID: 277085
• Report Number(s): ORNL/Sub--83-43382/8; ON: DE96014274
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
55 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
BASIC STUDIES
BIOMASS
COTTONWOODS
GENETIC ENGINEERING
GENETICS
PLANT BREEDING
PLANT GROWTH
PROGRESS REPORT
SILVICULTURE