Genetic Fidelity Studies in Tissue Culture Raised Plantlets of Himalayan Poplar (Populus ciliata Wall.)

Genomic assessment of the in vitro raised variations is necessary to protect the useful characteristics of the elite cultivars. Populus ciliata has significant potential among the commercially propagated tree species such as teak, Eucalyptus, red wood and radiata pine. Himalayan poplar occupies a unique and important position in the rural economy of India as it is a rare forest species ideal for successful intercultivation with agronomically important crops. Populus ciliata is a deciduous tree with sexually differentiated male and female plants, grown at an altitude of 1200-3500 m and largely distributed in temperate and subtemperate regions of the Himalaya.