Biomass Allocation and Root Characteristics of Early-Stage Poplars ( Populus spp.) for Assessing Their Water-Deficit Response During SRC Establishment

Early above- and belowground biomass fractionation, root diameter composition and allocation of cumulated fine root length per total leaf area of Populus clones have been measured for a pre-assessment of the risk for plantation establishment during spring drought conditions. Four clones of Populus × euramericana, and one P. nigra × P. maximowiczii clone (cv. Max 3), were planted in sandy mix substrate and were exposed to one normal and one deficit watering regime over 65-day greenhouse experiments conducted during early summer. The P. × euramericana hybrids showed plasticity of their root biomass fractions. Although clone Max 3 was among the productive clones, even under deficit watering, it was not able to respond plastically to deficit watering. It showed no increase in the root biomass fraction and no increase in the ratio of cumulated fine root length per total leaf area. Therefore, the clone Max 3 should not be planted under high risk for spring drought. Planting the investigated P. × euramericana clones under water deficit likely involves a lower risk, but clone differences within this group must be considered. It can be concluded that the water deficit response of biomass allocation to roots and of the ratio of fine root length per unit leaf area is suitable traits to improve drought risk assessments that are based on yield response of poplar clones to drought. Percent plant loss data and the yield at the end of the first SRC rotation will be suitable to verify the present greenhouse assessment.