Assessment of Turkish Red Pine (Pinus brutia Ten.) provenance trials in terms of breast height diameter at 30th years age: The Mediterranean and the Aegean Regions

Abstract

In this study, 13 trials located in the Mediterranean and Aegean Regions at the age of 30 of the Turkish pine origin trials established in a total of 26 trial areas in Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus were evaluated in terms of diameter at breast height. 50 Turkish red pine provenances from different regions of Turkey and TRNC were sampled in the trials. Provenances with the best diameter growth and statistically significant differences were determined in the Mediterranean Region Low Altitude (200-600 m), Mediterranean Region Upper Elevation (900-950 m), and Aegean Region (401-700 m) Afforestation Zones. In addition, the performance stability of the provenances in terms of diameter growth was determined within the framework of the Mediterranean and Aegean trials. Experimental design in each trial is randomized complete block design with three replications. In each replication, provenances had presented with 16 seedlings initially. In 15th year, the trials were systematically thinned and sapling number in each replication was halved. As a result, significant differences were found in 12 trials in terms of diameter at breast height growth between provenances. It has been determined that the experimental error variance rates and the inter-plot error variation coefficients of the trials have decreased compared to the evaluations made in previous years. It has been determined that the origins of the Mediterranean Low Elevation Zone do not lag behind the origins of the Middle Elevation Zone in terms of performance stability in the Mediterranean and Aegean Regions. It has been observed that the performance stability of the Mediterranean Upper Elevation Zone provenances and the Aegean Region provenances are very variable. It has been determined that the provenances of the Marmara Region and isolated provenances do not have the ability to adapt to the Mediterranean and Aegean Regions.