Researches on various morphological properties of container scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) seedlings of various origins grown on different growth media

Use of tubed seedlings has increased afforestation efficiency in arid and semi-arid regions. The growth medium used in tubes affects seedling growth and quality. In this study, effect of different origins and growth media on Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) seedlings were evaluated. The seeds were obtained from Ankara Forest Trees and Seeds Breeding Research Institute and Çerkeş Forest Nursery. Seven different growth media: A) 100% turf; B) %50 turf, 25% perlite, 25% zeolite; C) 80% turf, 10% perlite, 10% zeolite; D) 40% turf, 30% perlite, 20% zeolite; E 40% turf, 40% perlite, 20% zeolite; F) 50% forest soil, 20% turf, 20% humus, 10% perlite; and G) 60% forest soil, 10% fir humus, 10% animal manure, 10% zeolite, 10% agricultural pumice were prepared. The Scotch pine seeds were sown in 11 cm wide and 25 cm deep polyethylene nylon containers, fillet with above mentioned growth mixtures, in June 2016. After the germination, fist germinated origins were recorded then height (cm) and the root collar diameter (mm) were measured and the survival percentage was determined on the 1-year old seedlings. The data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA and differences among the morphological variables of origins were determined and finally quality of origins were evaluated. The results showed that 1+0 aged Scotch pine seedlings of Eskişehir/Çatacık-Değirmendere origin grown at mixtures B, C and D had significantly greater root collar diameter and that those seedling of the same origin grown in the mixture B and C had significantly greater seedling height than the rest of the seedlings.