Sex effect on growth performance and marker-aided sex discrimination of seedlings of Populus deltoides

Abstract Sex has a significant effect on various traits among dioecious plants. In this analysis of the sex radial growth and wood density numerous 20-year-old trees Populus deltoides growing in common garden, male performed better than females growth, but did not significantly affect density. Growth rate were weakly negatively correlated. selection is also critical for controlling seed-hair pollution from P. plantations. However, because juvenile period lasts years, reliable technique to determine juveniles been needed. Here we developed marker-aided discriminate sexes seedlings. This study provides essential information target highly desirable genetic toolkit accelerate breeding programs important tree species.