An evaluation of scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) plantation in ardanuç forest enterprise

In this study, Scotch Pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) plantation in Artvin- Ardanuç region planted in 1984 investigated. The size of study area is 95 ha and this research was done on 30 sample plots. The size of each sample plot is 225 square meters and there have been 72 Scotch Pine seedlings on each sample plot. Heights, diameter (duo) and height growing of last year of these seedlings were measured and survival rate of the seedlings on the sample plots was defined. Measurements were also done on replacement planting but these data did not use statistical analysis. Besides, physiographic characteristics of the sample plots like exposure, slope, altitude and soil depth were determined. In order to define edaphic factors, soil profiles were dug in the sample plots. Soil samples were taken from 0-20 cm depth and 20-50 cm depth of the soil profiles. Soil reaction (pH) and soil texture situation were determined by soil analysis. According to Analysis of Variance and Correlation, it was found that physiographic and edaphic factors like soil depth, exposure, slope, altitude, soil reaction (pH) and soil texture affected the height and diameter (doo) growth of seedlings with 95 percent confidence level. Land preparing was also found effectively on the height and diameter (di.3o) growth of seedlings. It was found that only soil depth, exposure and land preparing affected the survival rate of the seedlings with 95 percent confidence level.Key Words: Scotch Pine (Pinus sylvestris L), plantation, survival, edaphic and physiographic factors