Morphological characteristics of cones, seeds and seedlings obtained from successive branch of the same year in Turkish red pine (Pinus brutia Ten.)

Pinus brutia Ten., one of the most widely distributed pine species in the natural forests of Turkey, is known to produce multiple shoots per year depending on the site quality (bonitet). In this study, based on phenological observations, clones exhibiting the characteristic of producing two shoot cycles in spring were identified. Data from the collected cones and the resulting seeds were evaluated. Germination studies were conducted with seeds obtained from cones formed at different times in the same year, and the morphological characteristics of the seedlings derived from these seeds were examined. The aim was to generate information about seed orchard management and the biology of P. brutia. The study was carried out at the TB 185 UKN Pinus brutia Genotypic Seed Orchard located within the Mugla Forestry Regional Directorate. Phenological observations were made in the seed orchard, and individuals with cones of the same age from the first and second spring shoot cycles were identified. A total of 13 individuals from 4 clones were selected. Cones were collected from these identified clones, and seeds were sown at the Muğla Forest Nursery. Seedling growth was monitored, and at the end of the vegetation period, the seedlings were uprooted. Various morphological characteristics, such as seedling height, root collar diameter, green root weight, and green shoot weight, were measured to obtain data on the morphological characteristics of the seedlings. As a result of the variance analyses conducted, significant differences were found among the clones. Tukey and Duncan tests were applied to determine which clones were similar to each other. The morphological criteria of the seedlings belonging to the clone numbered 1218 were found to be high. Tests conducted to identify differences and similarities between the first and second spring shoots revealed that the root collar diameter values of the first shoot were higher than those of the second shoot.