Soil and litter nutrient elements comparison of different poplar species and clones (Case study: Safrabasteh Poplar Experimental Station)

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of different species and clones of poplar on beneath soil properties and their differences in amount of nutrient elements in their litters. Soil (0-20 cm depth) and litter sampling was made under the randomized complete blocks design with three replicates and five treatments of 18 year old poplar species and clones، including four exotics; Populus euramericana triplo، Populus deltoides 69/55، Populus deltoides 63/51، Populus euramericana 45/51 and one native: Populus caspica (control) planted at 4 x 4 m. spacing. The measured soil and litter chemical properties consisted of: Organic carbon، total nitrogen، phosphorus and potassium. The measured poplar characteristics consisted of: total height، stem diameter at breast height (dbh) and crown diameter. Results showed that there were significant differences (ρ<0. 05) between the poplar species and clones in respect to the soil and litter chemical properties، except potassium in soil. Furthermore، the highest and the lowest amount of nutrient elements in the litter belonged to P. d. 63. 51 and P. caspica، respectively and Populus deltoides 63/51 achieved the greatest stem and crown diameter and total height. It can be concluded that Populus deltoides 63/51 in addition to its proper growth، has a positive effects on soil nutrients due to its better litter quantity and quality production in comparison to the other species and clones.