author(s)
Arvind Kumar, Ajeet Singh and Dinesh Kumar

abstract
Poplar, Populus deltoides is very susceptible to defoliator Clostera cupreata which causing about 50% tree infestation and economic growth loss nearly 66% every year. Resistance against the herbivore in plants govern by the genetic makeup of the tree species or clones, stands out major resources for managing the herbivore insect. Targeting the genetic variation and superiority of the clones against herbivore insect, present study was conducted. Forty-seven clones were studied for their superiority against leaf consumption by C. cupreata insect pest. Study was experimented through two methods ‘choice’ and ‘no-choice’ of leaf feeding. The results revealed that six clones developed by the Forest Research Institute, Dehradun (FRI-PD-FS-19, FRI-PD-AM-44, FRI-PD-AM-112, FRI-PD-FS-194, FRI-PD-FS-13, and FRI-PD-AM-96) along with two clones, WSL-22 and WSL-18, developed by ITC Seedlings Ltd, exhibited the highest resistance against the poplar defoliator C. cupreata. The feeding data from both the 'choice' and 'no-choice' experiments showed a positive correlation. Therefore, these clones are recommended for plantation in farm forestry in northwestern India to enhance the growth of poplar trees.