Growth parameters and resistance to Sphaerulina musiva-induced canker are more important than wood density for increasing genetic gain from selection of Populus spp. hybrids for northern climates

The data was collected from a common garden genetics trial established in 2008 in northern Alberta, Canada. The trial represents 1978 (initial number) hybrid poplar clones from 63 families and includes interspecific crosses between Populus deltoides (D), Populus nigra (N), Populus balsamifera (B), P. maximowiczii (M), and P. × petrowskyana (P. laurifolia × P. nigra). Female clone 24 (‘Walker’ = (Populus deltoides × (P. laurifolia × P. nigra))) and male progeny clone 2403 (‘Okanese’ = (‘Walker’ × (P. laurifolia × P. nigra))) were used as reference clones. The study design was a randomized complete block design, with one ramet per clone in each of four blocks. Measurements were carried out after three, eight, and 10 growing seasons on the genetics trial. Results presented in ‘HybridPoplarsTrial.csv’ file, show is the raw data, while ‘Summary data.csv’ contains the mean values for clones obtained from the four blocks. Measured and calculated traits include: DBH (diameter at breast height; 1.3 m); H (height); canker (canker severity caused by Sphaerulina musiva (scale 0-3)); MAI (mean annual increment), V (volume).

Description of headings:

Trait [unit] - Description

DBH_Age_3 [cm] - diameter at breast height at age 3

H_Age_3 [m] - height at age 3

DBH_Age_8 [cm] - diameter at breast height at age 8

H_Age_8 [m] - height at age 8

H_Age_10 [m] - height at age 10

DBH_Age_10 [cm] - diameter at breast height at age 10

Canker_Age_8 - canker severity caused by Sphaerulina musiva (scale 0-3)

Canker_Age_10 - canker severity caused by Sphaerulina musiva (scale 0-3)

V_Age_8 [m³ ha^-1] - volume at age 8

MAI_Age_8 [m³ ha^-1 yr^-1] - mean annual increment at age 8

V_Age_10 [m³ ha^-1] - volume at age 10

MAI_Age_10 [m³ ha^-1 yr^-1] - mean annual increment at age 10

WD_Age_10 [kg m^-3] - wood density at age 10