The study was conducted to explore the growth performance of the 19 promising clones of Populus deltoides at nursery stage. Data were statistically analyzed for different growth parameters viz., sprouting percentage, colour and shape of buds (after one month), total height, collar diameter, inter-nodal length, number of roots, number of branches, root length, volume index, total biomass (fresh shoot + fresh root weight), bark colour and texture, disease resistance (after six months and one year), number of leaves, leaf fall duration, leaf length, leaf width and leaf area index at nursery stage. Taxonomic evaluation (colour and shape of buds) revealed that the clonal characters further represent the source of germplasm from Populus deltoides of section Aigeirous. Results revealed that clone W39 showed significantly better performance for total height, collar diameter, number of branches, number of roots, volume index and biomass. Clone W32 had more inter-nodal length and root length in comparison to other clones. Clones Udai, G48, W110, S7C8, Bahar, S7C1 were also found to be the promising clones for growth parameters. Clones from Wimco seedlings ltd. showed better performance for all above mentioned growth characters in comparison to FRIAM clones. Leaf parameters were found to vary in all 19 clones. In this study it was also observed that clones varied for disease resistance, bark colour and texture (mainly dark greenish bark colour showed disease resistance at one year stage). The correlation results indicated the feasibility of selection of clones for higher values of total height, collar diameter, root length and volume index.

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