Seedling quality evaluation of crimean pine and Taurus cedar species in Çankırı (Kenbağ) and Eldivan forest nursery

There are many studies related to determining the quality seedling use that affecting the success of afforestation studies. Mostly the morphological properties are used for determining the seedling quality. The aim of this study is evaluation of seedling quality of Crimean pine and Taurus cedar seedlings grown at Kenbağ and Eldivan forest nurseries. In the study, the origins, growing conditions and seedlings with age difference were determined and also certain morphological properties which were seedling height (cm), root collar diameter (mm), dry root weight (g), above-ground dry weight, number of lateral shoots and number of lateral roots were measured. During the field studies, a total of 9 groups of Crimean pine and Taurus cedar seedlings which were chosen according to their availabilities. These seedling groups were Crimean pine seedlings consisting of 1+0 and 2+0 aged bare-rooted and tubed seedlings of Ismetpasa and Amasya origins, and Taurus cedar seedlings consisting of 1+0 and 2+0 aged tubed seedlings of Mersin (Mut), Konya (Ermenek) and Antalya (Kumluca) origins. Data were evaluated with two-tailed independent t-tests. Results show that Crimean pine seedlings of Ismetpasa origin had significantly better height and root collar developments than of Amasya origin. Also, Taurus cedar seedlings of Konya (1+1), Mersin (1+1) and Antalya (1+1) origins were found as first (I) class in terms of height according to the Coniferous Trees' Seedling Standards; TS 2265/February 1998.