Cloning susceptibility of Poplar (Populus sp.) when attacked by Platypus mutatus in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Abstract

The objective of the present work was to characterize the incidence of Platypus mutatus on clones of poplars from plantations located at Palantelén, Alberti, Buenos Aires, Argentina (35° 40’ S; 60° 15’ W). 10-year-old plantations of Populus deltoides cvs. Catfish 2, Stoneville 62, Stoneville 66, Stoneville 71 and Populus x euroamericana cvs. I-214 and Conti 12 were studied. The number of galleries by trunk, breaks caused by the insect and survival of broken trees were analyzed. Classifications of clones depending on the pest varied according to the analyzed perturbation. Conti 12 and Stoneville 66 were the most attacked clones measured by presence of galleries. I-214, Stoneville 71 and Stoneville 62 were the least attacked clones. Catfish 2 and Stoneville 66 were more easily broken; followed by Conti 12. I-214 did not have any broken plant. Conti 12 was the clone presenting the least survival of broken plants. Broken plants of Stoneville 71 did not die. Stoneville 62, Stoneville 66, and Catfish 2, presented high survival of broken trees.