Effect of the origin factor on the morphological properties of firethorn (Pyracantha coccinea) seedlings and seeds

In this study, it was aimed to determine the seed characteristics of Scarlet Firethorn seeds collected from different origins and the change of morphological characteristics of seedlings according to origins and to reveal whether the effects of pretreatment will differ according to origins. The fruits were collected from Savsat Susuz, Savsat Cayagzı, Ardanuc and Borcka origins in Artvin, and from Erfelek origin in Sinop in September 2018. Seed diameter, seed length, 1000 seed weight, moisture content, germination percentage and germination rate values as seed characteristics, seedling height, root collar diameter, fresh root weight, fresh stem weight, dry root weight, dry stem weight as morphological characteristics of seedlings. and seedling dry weight values, and as seedling quality criteria, dry root percentage, multiplicity and robustness index values were taken into consideration. As a pre-treatment in the study, cold stratification pretreatment was applied at different times (20, 40 and 60 days). Sowing was carried out in 45 deep well tray pots in the greenhouse section of Artvin Coruh University in March 2019 with four replications and using 50 seeds in each replication. As a result of the study, it was concluded that the origin has an effect on the properties of Scarlet Firethorn seeds, and the seeds of Ardanuc and Savsat-Susuz origins have higher values than the seeds of other origins. It was determined that the effect of pretreatments on the germination percentage varied according to the origins, and in general, cold stratification for 40 and 60 days increased the germination percentage of seeds. It has been determined that the morphological features of the seedlings vary according to the origins and the highest value in terms of seedling height, root collar diameter, dry root weight, dry stem weight and seedling dry weight is from Borcka origin, and the lowest values belong to the origin of Savsat Cayagzı.