Growth, productivity and water use in three hybrid poplar clones

Three drought treatments (none, medium and severe) were applied to three container-grown, hybrid poplar clones (Beaupré, Trichobel and Ghoy) as a series of drying cycles over two years-in a greenhouse in 1994 and outside in 1995. Leaf area development, annual biomass production and annual water use were recorded. Clone Beaupré had greater rates of leaf area development (up to 11.8 x 10(-4) m(2) degrees C day(-1)) and subsequently greater dry matter production (up to 816 g tree(-1) year(-1)) and water use (up to 168 l tree(-1) year(-1)) than the other two clones. In all clones, rates of leaf area development, annual biomass production and water use were less under drought conditions than under well-watered conditions. On a proportional basis, the highest reduction in biomass by drought was in Trichobel (up to 74%), whereas, in absolute terms, the reduction was greatest in Beaupré (up to 500 g tree(-1)). However, under drought conditions, annual biomass production was greater in Clone Beaupré than in the other clones. The relationship between water use and biomass production was constant over both years, and was similar for Beaupré and Trichobel at 4.4 g l(-1), but was less for Ghoy at 3.5 g l(-1).