THAKUR, SANJEEVPURUSHOTTAM, AYATE DIPIKA2017-12-112017-12-112017-11http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810037374ABSTRACT The present study entitled “Morphological and molecular characterization of poplar (Populus deltoides) clones and development of their descriptors” was undertaken in the Department of Tree Improvement and Genetic Resources, Dr. Y.S. P. U. H. F., Nauni- Solan 173230 (H.P.) during year 2013-2016. The fifteen clones obtained from different research Institutes (locations) of India. The stem cutting of 7 inch long and 1.6 cm diameter were prepared from one year old stem cuttings and raised at a spacing of 60 cm x 60 cm in randomized block design with three replications. The three experimental sites namely 1) Dhaula kuan, RHTS, Dist. Sirmaur (H. P.), 2) Ladhowal farm, PAU, Ludhiana (Punjab) and 3) Nauni, Solan . Genotype x environment interaction studied during 2014 at studied sites gave four significant parameters in leaf blade length, mid rib length, distance between petiole junction to base of leaf and total leaf length. Therefore, stable clones obtained for leaf blade length L-621/84, mid rib length L-621/84, distance between petiole junction to base of leaf G-48 and total length of leaf L-621/84 and G-48. These clones should be tested in field. Principal component analysis gave 90.05% variability for leaf traits at three different sites. Significant Clone x Year interaction during 2013, 2014 and 2016 at Nauni was found for ratio between mid rib to maximum width of leaf parameter. Qualitative and quantitative descriptors for traits of poplar clones were prepared as per UPOV guidelines. Verification of clones on the basis of SSR markers gave 64% similarity with two sub clusters.ennullThesis