To investigate the levels of polymorphisms and Mendelian segregation ratio in clone “TB01” (P. tomentosa×P. bolleana) ×clone “LM50” (P. tomentosa) BC 1 population at the entire genome level, amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs) analysis was conducted for both parents and 120 progenies. Forty one pairs of selective primers were used to detect 2?707 bands, of which 712 (26.4%) were polymorphic. Chi\|square tests were performed to examine if the observed genotypic frequencies of AFLP loci deviated from expected 1∶1 Mendelian segregation ratio ( P <0.01) in BC 1 population. Among the 712 loci 571 (80.2%) fit to Mendelian 1∶1 segregation ratio, corresponding to DNA polymorphisms heterozygous in one parent and a null in the other. The result shows that the AFLP markers are very suitable for fingerprinting and genetic mapping in the Chinese white poplar (Populus tomentosa Carr.).
The wood samples of 9 triploid clones of Populus tomentosa Carr. taken from a 9 year old clonal test site were analyzed in order to investigate the genetic variation of wood properties, including air dried wood density and some mechanical properties. The results showed that significant or extremely significant difference in air dried wood density and the mechanical properties existed among the clones, this means these wood properties were under moderate or strong genetic controls and could be improved by genetic manipulations. The radial and vertical variation patterns of air dried wood density were also studied and the results were found to coordinate with other previous research results. The vertical variation patterns of most mechanical properties within the individual tree also conformed to the general wood theories except the modulus of elasticity and cross section hardness. Among the mechanical properties, modulus of elasticity (MOE) and tangent section hardness were under strong genetic control, with the clonal repeatabilities being 0 90 and 0 80, respectively. However, the clonal repeatabilities of other mechanical properties under study were a little lower than above two indexes. Genetic correlation analysis indicated that super clonal selection and breeding for veneer timber could be realized through indirect selection of wood density and form indexes.
