Effects of planting depth, humic and jasmonic acid treatments on survival and growth performance of Taurus cedar (Cedrus libani), black pine (Pinus nigra), Turkish pine (Pinus brutia), almond (amygdalus communis) and Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) planted in arid regions of Central Anatolia

The aim of this study is to test planting hole depth, humic and jasmonic acid treatments on some tree species in order to increase the survival rate and growth performance of seedlings in afforestation studies carried out in the arid regions of Central Anatolia. Black pine, red pine and cedar, as well as oleaster and almond from deciduous plants were used in the study. Factorial design was used within the block design in the experiment. The blocks were created in areas allocated to afforestation in the Karapınar, Sazlıpınar and Ayrancı regions. The first factor is the planting location of the saplings on the seedbad and consists of two different depths; 1- The Ministry's practice (U = middle part of the pillow), 2- includes planting (D) 40-50 cm deep along the line to be created on the strip opened by plows. Humic acid (HA) and jasmonic acid (JA) consist of two doses each (H = high, L = low). Volumetric moisture contents in the field were measured periodically throughout the growing season in the processing units. Field capacity of the soil of the planting blocks and moisture content at the wilting point were determined. At the end of the second growth period, the survival rates of the seedlings and their diameter and height measurements were performed. A total of 15 profile pits, 5 in each field, were opened and the physical and chemical properties of the soil were evaluated by sampling at 30 cm depth levels between 0-150 cm. In addition, drought stress were determined in leaf samples taken from each processing unit; Some physiological and biochemical measurements such as photosynthetic parameters, RWC, lipid peroxidation, H2O2 amount and antioxidant enzyme amounts were made. It was determined that the soil moisture in the pits where the saplings were planted deep was approximately 50% higher than in the parts with Ministry practice planting, from April to September. It was determined that the growth rates of the saplings were significantly higher in the deep planting areas. The effect of humic and jasmonic acid on sapling performance varies depending on each other's ratios and planting hole depth. Study data show that planting saplings deep in such arid areas will increase the chance of success. It is expected that the results obtained will be evaluated by practitioners in the region and contribute to increasing success in afforestation in arid regions.