Indian Journal of Science and Technology

Abstract

An area about 3000 m2 located in Shanderman nursary (Guilan province, North Iran) was selected in order to compare increment and wood production of Paulownia fortunei and Populus deltoides (collected from clone no. 69.77), These species were planted at a 4 m by 4 m spacing in the form of complete randomize block design. After planting, they were measured in terms of diameter of the bright height (dbh) and total height. The given parameters were also measured in the second, third and fourth years for determining increment of whole species. The obtained results revealed that after four years, the increment condition of Paulownia fortunei was better than Populus deltoids. The mean annual increment of the both species has increased in comparison with last year and this increment was significant at the 0.01 confidence interval. Mean annual diameter and height increment for Populus deltoides were 2.65 and 201.84 cm, respectively and for Paulownia fortune, it was obtained 5.23 and 298.03 cm, respectively. Mean annual basal area increment of Paulownia fortunei and Populus deltoides was 7.66 and 27 cm2 and there were significant differences between mean dbh, height and basal area increment of Paulownia fortunei and Populus deltoides at the 0.01 confidence interval in this area. Plantation of both Paulownia fortunei and Populus deltoides as pure plantation or mix plantation together did not show a significant difference on mean dbh and height increment of these species at this study area. Keywords: Fast-growing, Increment, Guilan province, Populus deltoids, Paulownia fortunei