Morphological variation and quality in Anatolian black pine seedlings

Abstract

There are many biological and environmental factors in success of forest establishment including afforestation, industrial plantation, and other forestry practices such as nursery technique and provenance. Forest establishment is also getting importance for the Anatolian Black pine [Pinus nigra Arnold. subsp. pallasiana (Lamb.) Holmboe] because of its widely using in afforestation and higher unproductive forest area, and other practices (i.e., landscape planning). It is known that seedling morphology and quality play key role in biological and economical success in these practices. This study was carried out on 1+0, 3+0 and 5+0 years containerized seedlings grown in Adana-Kicak and Konya-Seydisehir Forest Nurseries to contribute nursery practices (such as grown quality seedlings) and success of forest establishment and other practices For the purpose, seedling height and root-collar diameter of 100 seedlings randomly chosen in each age group were measured at the end of 2017. Averages of seedling height of 1+0, 3+0 and 5+0 years were 9.9 cm, 22.6 cm, and 59.8 cm, respectively, while they were 2.6 mm, 7.8 mm and 14.3 mm for root-collar diameter. Coefficient of variation was the highest at 3 years old seedlings for both characters (27% & 25.3%) but the lowest at 5 years old ones (16% &18.3%). 1% of seedlings for height (height<5cm) and 17% of seedlings for root-collar diameter (diameter<2mm) of 1+0 year seedlings were cull/unsuitable for plantation, while they were no any cull seedlings at age 3 and 5 years according to quality classes of Turkish Standard Institute. Positive and significant (p<0.05) correlation was found between height and diameter at all age groups. It emphasized seedling height could be used in the selection of quality seedlings for easy practices by nursery managers.