PAU-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Hoshiarpur conducted a training programme on the poplar cultivation at its premises on 23rd January, 2026 in which 26 farmers from different villages of the district participated.
At the outset, Dr. Karmvir Singh Garcha, Assistant Professor (Vegetable Science) welcomed the farmers and shared the farmer welfare activities of KVK with them.
Dr. Maninder Singh Bons, Associate Director (Training), PAU-KVK Hoshiarpur shared that the main objective of the training was to provide farmers with practical knowledge on improved and successful poplar production techniques. The programme focused on nursery management and intercropping practices in poplar-based agroforestry systems, enabling farmers to enhance productivity and adopt poplar cultivation as a profitable farming option.
Dr. Ankurdeep Preety, Assistant Professor (Agroforestry), PAU-KVK Ropar informed that poplar plantation in the fields should be carried out during January to February. She advised that plants which have already sprouted should not be planted. She emphasized that entire transplants must be procured from reliable nurseries and should be raised from one-year-old nursery plants, not from side branches of mature trees. She further stated that Punjab Agricultural University has recommended poplar clones PL-1, PL-2, PL-3, PL-4, PL-5, L-47/88 and L-48/89 for the central plain region, while clones PL-3, PL-6, PL-7 and L-48/89 are suitable for the semi-arid region of Punjab. She advised that bare-rooted plants should be kept in running water for at least 48 hours before planting to encourage the development of root buds. Dr. Preety explained that poplar rows should be planted along water channels, which can later be used for irrigating poplar trees when the intercrop reaches the ripening and harvesting stage, such as wheat in April. This practice helps in preventing water stress in poplar without adversely affecting the intercrop. In addition, she shared important information on nursery management practices as well as disease and insect pest management in poplar plantations.
In the end, Sh. Gurpratap Singh, Associate Professor (agronomy) thanked the experts and the participating farmers.