Association of seed / sapling morphological and biochemical properties with ecological factors of different scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) populations in the transition climate zone

In this study, we evaluated some characteristics of the Scots pine seeds as related to the topographical features of stand sties. Soluble sugars such as glucose, fructose and sucrose, proline, protein, malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) enzyme activities from antioxidant enzymes were measured in the seeds. In addition, 2+0 years old tubed scots pine seedlings were grown from the collected seeds. Photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carotenoid) were determined in the needles of seedlings, and morphological measurements of seedling height (FB), root collar diameter (KBD), root fresh weight (KTA), root dry weight (KKA), stem fresh weight (GTA), stem dry weight (GKA), terminal shoot length (TSB), lateral roots (Yankok) and lateral shoots (YDS) were measured in seedlings. Also, soil samples were taken from three different depths (0-15 cm, 15-30 cm and 30-60 cm) around the trees, from which the seeds were collected. pH, electrical conductivity (EC), CaCO3, organic matter, texture and plant-available phosphorus (P2O5) were determined in the soil samples. The relationships between the data obtained and the characteristics of the site, seed chemical properties, soil properties and morphological characteristics of the seedlings were analyzed by correlation and factorial ANOVA analyses. Bayramören sample area was the lowest in terms of thousand grain weight, germination percentage, glucose, fructose and H2O2 compared to other populations, Çankırı populations were the highest amount in terms of MDA and H2O2. The highest germination percentage was found in Yenice populations, at an altitude of 1701-1800 m and in the southwest aspect. By evaluating the relationships between seed quality and environmental factors, the variables that are important in the estimation of seed quality are confessed.