Researches for the determination of some walnut cultivars (Juglans regia L.) to be used as seedling rootstock

This study was carried out to determine the potential of some walnut cultivars for seedling rootstock between 2013 and 2014. The study was performed in Denizli city. The seeds of 10 walnut cultivars (Balaban, Bilecik, Chandler, Fernor, Kaman-1, Midland, Pedro, Serr, Yalova-1 and Yalova-3) were used as plant material in the study. The seed germination capacity, germination rate, seedling length, diameter and root development values of the cultivars were determined. Seedlings that suited for budding were budded with patch budding and chip budding methods, and budding success ratios were determined. After 60 days from budding, we did anatomically and histologic observations on the samples. The highest germination ratio according to the average value of years was obtained from Kaman-1 cultivar (79.07%) and Bilecik (78.44%), Pedro (78.13%), Yalova-1 (76.25%) and Yalova-3 (72.50%) respectively. The lowest germination rate was evaluated from Fernor cultivar with 55.00%. Average seedling diameter development values were higher in Yalova-1 (11.58 mm), Kaman-1 (11.02 mm), Bilecik (10.56 mm) and Pedro (10.74 mm) than others. The lowest seedling diameter values were noted from Midland (8.15mm) and Fernor cultivar (8.35 mm), Chandler (8.54 mm). Average seedling length ranged from 53.95cm (Kaman-1) to 36.69 cm (Fernor). In conclusion, the walnut cultivars -Kaman-1, Yalova-1, Yalova-3, Bilecik and Pedro with high scores were determined to be used as seedling rootstock.