Clonal variation in morphology of Populus root systems following irrigation with landfill leachate or water during 2 years of establishment

Abstract

Increased municipal solid waste generation in North America has prompted the use of Populus for phytoremediation of waste waters including landfill leachate. Populus species and hybrids are ideal for such applications because of their high water usage rates, fast growth, and extensive root systems. Adventitious rooting (i.e., lateral rooting from primordia and basal rooting from callus) of Populus is important for phytotechnologies to ensure successful plantation establishment with genotypes that thrive when irrigated with highly variable or specific contaminants. We evaluated differences in root system morphology following establishment with high-salinity municipal solid waste landfill leachate or uncontaminated well water (control). Populus clones (NC13460, NC14018, NC14104, NC14106, DM115, DN5, NM2, and NM6) were irrigated during 2005 and 2006 in northern Wisconsin, USA and tested for differences in morphology of lateral and basal root types, as well as fine (0-2 mm diameter), small (2-5 mm), and coarse (>5 mm) roots.

Citation

Zalesny, Jill A.; Zalesny, Ronald S., Jr.; Coyle, David R.; Hall, Richard B.; Bauer, Edmund O. 2009. Clonal variation in morphology of Populus root systems following irrigation with landfill leachate or water during 2 years of establishment. BioEnergy Research. 2: 134-143., Vol. 2: 134-143 pages.