Early evaluation of micropropagated black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) clones in Hungary

In Hungary, black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) is one of the most important exotic species, forming entire stands. Its importance is increasing in many other countries. As a result of a new selection program eight black locust clones have been improved for establishing clone trials and a seed orchard. In this study juvenile growth and stem quality of micropropagated clones of black locust were evaluated on a marginal site in central Hungary. At ten years old, the clones ’MB17D3/4’ and ’PV201E2/4’ appeared to be especially promising for high quality wood production under arid hydrological conditions. A tissue culture method can be considered a suitable tool of propagating superior individual trees and offers new prospects for the rapid cloning of selected genotypes.