Effects of different growing media on the germination and seedling growth in chestnut

This research is carried out to determine of effects different growing media on seed germination and seedling growth in Aydın Adnan Menderes Universiy, Agricultural Faculty, Horticulture Department, Research and Application Orchards in 2017 and 2018 years. Peat, perlite, zeolite, vermiculite, pumice, garden soil, coconut shell, chestnut burr and slag media and their mix as 10 different media were used. Chestnut seeds were planted in 0.85 L pots. According to media, germination rate, seedling height (cm), seedling diameter (mm), seedling height and diameter uniformity (CV %), leaf number parameters were measured. In 2017, it was determined that pumice and peat gave the highest germination rate and it was followed by coconut shell, and peat + perlite. In 2018, it was determined that zeolite and zeolite + perlite gave the highest germination rate. In seedling growing, seedling height and diameter is important parameters in grafting to obtain enough size. In terms of, seedling height and diameter, the best media were peat and peat + perlite and coconut shell.