Poplar researches in Iran

The International poplar Commission (IPC) was established in 1947. Iran became a member of IPC in 1955. The twelfth IPC meeting was held in Iran, Tehran in 1965. After 1965, the researches for the poplar were continued seriously in country. In the same year, Iran imported poplar plant material (more than 100 poplar clones of different species) from member countries of IPC (such as, Italy, Germany, Netherlands, France, USA and later Turkey). Initially, these poplar clones were planted at three stations (two stations in North of country in coastal plains of the Caspian Sea, a research station of Noshahr (Mazandaran province), and Safrabasteh (Guilan province). The third station was in semi-arid region, Alborz research station in Karaj (Alborz provinc)

In the first stage, poplar clones planted in a research station of Noshahr (Mazandaran province), Karaj (Alborz provinc in semi-arid region) and Safrabasteh (Guilan province in coastal plains of the Caspian Sea). In the second stage adaptation experiences carried out on them.  With the development of research activities and increase of poplar plantation areas, research programs gradually were expanded in 14 research stations of country.

Poplar and fast growing trees research division has been established in 1988 in Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands (RIFR) with the aim of betterment of increasing the yield per unit area and further development of plantations. Poplar and fast growing trees research division focuses on the poplar species and fast growing trees (Salix, Eucalyptus and Paulownia) in different areas with different climates.

The poplar research activities have been formed based on five working parties. The some of projects of this working groups will be executed with collaboration of genetic & plant physiology, wood and paper sciences and protect and conservation research divisions.

The poplar research activities have been formed based on five working parties such as:

. Production systems

. Genetics, conservation and improvement

. Harvesting and utilization of wood

. Insect, pests and diseases

. Environmental applications

The some of projects of this working groups will be executed with collaboration of genetic & plant physiology, wood and paper sciences and protect and conservation research divisions (RIFR).

The presence of 12.4 million hectares of forest lands, covering only 7% of total land area, with an average annual growth of 3 m3/ha in the north and 0.5 m3/ha in the west has made Iran a part of Low Forest Cover Countries. However, this limited amount is at serious risk of destruction due to population growth and the expansion of the countryside and cities, land conversion, grazing and overexploitation. Therefore, achieving optimal management and quantitative and qualitative increase of forest products has necessitated basic and applied research in the forest areas of the country.