Genotypic variations in 107 poplar clones grown on a short-term waterlogging site: Long-term (1992–2015) data on survival rate, growth performance and branching traits

Abstract

The dataset reported data of survival rate, growth performance, branching architecture derived from 107 different poplar clones, including 104 introduced poplar clones (Populus deltoides) and 3 local extended poplar clones, measured within a long-term field experiment in lowland plantations in China. After 24 growing seasons from 1992 to 2015, the suvival rate for all the 107 clones, and tree height, diameter at breast-height (1.3 m), and tree volume of each tree were measured and calculated for all the 107 clones, in total of 301 alive trees (one to 9 trees for each clone), in three replicated plots. Subsequently, a total of 17 potential clones were selected by approximately 15% selection intensity, and 17 sample trees (one mean tree for each clone) were harvested for the investigation of the branching number, branching angle and base diameter of first-order branches. For the interpretation of the results of this experiment the readers are referred to Ref. [1]. The data presented in this article will aid selection of superior poplar clones for study and future applications in the similar lowland sites. The data on the suvival rate and growth performance of 107 poplar clones can help farmers and breeders to designing optimal schemes to increase timber yield and log assortment in poplar plantations. Raw data on tree structure parameters and branching traits can be used to evaluate the different performance of the clones, testing their different spacing and rotation requirement, and also designing innovative plantation schemes.

Keywords

• Eastern cottonwood
• Tree height
• Tree volume
• Branch number
• Branching angle
• Base diameter of first-order branches