Hybridization of Poplars in the Central Chernozem Region of Russia

Hybridization offers huge potential in domesticating species. Poplars are important for wood production and also ornamental uses. Only two poplar parents can generate by hybridization more than 500,000 different offspring phenotypes. The article reviews some international results and presents some Russian results of poplar hybridization, emphasizing the Central Chernozem Region of the European part of Russia. During 60 years 736 crosses were realized, resulting in 54,000 hybrid seedlings. In different field trials 243 superior clones were selected. For practical operations twelve cultivars of the most productive and frost resistant poplar hybrids were selected. Three of them are now approved as varieties by the state registration authorities. In order to mitigate the risks from unforeseen disease, injury or other adverse factors in defined environments several cultivars with close economic value but with different genetic composition should be available.