The effects of different soil mixture and growing media on seedling quality of cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) softwood cuttings

This study was conducted in order to determine the effects of different soil mixtures and growing media on seedling rate and seedling quality of cornelian cherry softwood cuttings. For this aim, seedling rates and seedling quality parameters of softwood cuttings of two cornelian cherry genotypes (44-01 and 44-28), of which variety registration processes continue and genetic materials are protected in Directorate of Malatya Apricot Research Institute National Cornelian Cherry Genetic Resources parcel, grown in two different soil mixtures (Soil + Turf + Pearlite (TTP/1:1:1) and Soil + Sheep Manure + Silt (TKM/1:1:1)) and growing media (plastic greenhouse and open field) and the effect of 4000 ppm IBA application on cutting rooting rate, seedling quality and seedling rate were examined. According to the results, 4000 IBA applied cuttings were successfully rooted (90 %) and genotypes did not show difference in rooting. In the genotypes, seedling rates were 58.28 % and 63.155 % for 44-01 and 44-28, respectively. In soil mixtures, seedling rates were 89.5 % for TTP and 31.9 % for TKM. Root length, seedling length, root dry and wet weight were higher in TTP mixture, whereas growing media did not affect seedling quality parameters. As a result of the study it was concluded that successful rooting of cornelian cherry genotypes is possible and Soil + Turf + Pearlite mixture materials should be used in seedling production.