EFFECT OF VARIOUS FACTORS ON ROOTING OF POPLARS IN PAKISTAN
M. Hafeez and M. I. Sheikh
Abstract:
When poplars were introduced in Pakistan about a decade back, emphasis was placed on only one clone viz. P. euramericana CV-I-214 due to its intrinsic qualities of almost cent per cent rooting and fast rate of growth. Subsequently, some deltoides clones were also imported which showed comparatively better rate of growth but low rooting capability, prohibiting their large scale planting. Experiments were under­ taken both with cuttings as well as entire plants exposing them to a number of treatments such as time of planting, different rooting media, frequency of irrigation and position of cutting on the plant etc. and using clones like P. deltoids 63/51, 90/60, 69/55 and 18/62, P. euramericana CV-I-214 being the control. Indications in both the cases were that supported by adequate winter rains or artificial irrigation and an efficient planting schedule, February was the best month for planting of most of the clones of poplar in the country.