David R. Coyle^a,†, Mark D. Coleman^a, Jaclin A. Durant^b,*, Lee A. Newman^b,c

^aUSDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station, P.O. Box 700, New Ellenton, SC 29809, USA

^bArnold School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of South Carolina, 800 Sumter Street, Columbia, SC 29208, USA

^cUniversity of Georgia Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802, USA

Abstract
Populus species and hybrids have many practical applications, but there is a paucity of data regarding selections that perform well in the southeastern US. We compared pest susceptibility of 31 Populus clones over 3 years in South Carolina, USA. Cuttings were planted in spring 2001 on two study sites. Clones planted in the bottomland site received granular fertilizer yearly and irrigation the first two years only, while those on the sandy, upland site received irrigation and fertilization throughout each growing season. Foliar damage by the cottonwood leaf beetle (Chrysomela scripta), cottonwood leafcurl mite (Tetra lobulifera), and poplar leaf rust (Melampsora medusae) was visually monitored several times each growing season. Damage ratings differed significantly among clones, and clonal rankings changed from year to year. Irrigation increased C. scripta and M. medusae damage, but had no effect on T. lobulifera damage. Certain clones received greater pest damage at a particular study site. Temporal damage patterns were evident among individual clones and on each site. At the upland site, OP367 and 7300502 were highly resistant to all three pests; I45/51 was highly resistant to C. scripta and M. medusae; NM6 and 15-29 were highly resistant to M. medusae; and 7302801 was highly resistant to T. lobulifera and M. medusae. At the bottomland site, NM6, Eridano, I45/51, and 7302801 were highly resistant to all three pests; clone 7300502 was highly resistant to M. medusae only. Based on this preliminary 3-year study of pest damage levels, we would recommend clones NM6, Eridano, I45/51, OP367, 15-29, 7302801, 7300502, and Kentucky 8 for use in this region.

Keywords: Chrysomela scripta; Clone; Irrigation; Melampsora medusae; Temporal variation; Tetra lobulifera

†Corresponding author
Current address: Department of Entomology,345 Russell Laboratories, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
Tel.: +1608 262 4755
Fax: +1608 262 3322
E-mail address: dcoyle@entomology.wisc.edu (D.R. Coyle)

* Current address: Department of Entomology, University of California-Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA.

SREL Reprint #3012

Coyle, D. R., M. D. Coleman, J. A. Durant and L. A. Newman. 2006. Multiple factors affect pest and pathogen damage on 31 Populus clones in South Carolina. Biomass and Bioenergy 30:759-768.

To request a reprint