The effect of wood properties upon micropropagation efficiency in hybrid aspen clones

The purpose of this study is to examine whether there are any correlations between fibre or chemical traits and micropropagation efficiency of aspen hybrids (Populus. tremula L. x Populus tremuloides Michx.). Five wood characters relating to paper quality and three traits to micropropagation were recorded on 24 hybrid aspen clones. The multiplication rate varied from 11-27 shoots per jar. The rooting percentage in vitro varied from 62%-97% (42%-91% in ex vitro). For micropropagation, there were significant correlations between rooting percentage in vitro and ex vitro (r = 0.55**) and between multiplication rate and rooting percentage ex vitro (r = 0.49*). Overall, however, the results of micropropagation and observation on wood characters over 24 clones indicated that these two sets of characters are not correlated with one another. It appears that wood characters have not affected micropropagation rate or rooting percentage in vitro or ex vitro.