The phenology of flowering in Taşköprü-tekçam scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) seed orchard

The study was carried out in Taşköprü-Tekçam Seed Orchard which was first established in 1995 with 30 clones which were originally taken from Araç-Dere Yayla. Throughout the study, flowering phenelogy of the clones in the seed orchard was examined for a period of two years (2006-2007); and female and male flower numbers were examined for a period of three years (2006-2007-2008); and the differences they had were determined. During the phenelogical observations, six developmental stages for the female flowers and eight developmental stages for the male flowers were determined and these stages were identified seperately.When the phenology of flowering for male and female flowers was examined, it was seen that pollination period for male flowers was on 20th May-13th June in 2006; and on 17th May- 13th June in 2007. The period for the female flowers to start and end pollen reception was on the dates between 17th May and 13th June in 2006, and between 20th May and 6th June in 2006. It was observed that there existed a relative consistency between pollination period for male flowers and pollen reception period of the female flowers with respect to time and duration.Significant differences between the clones with regard to female-male flower numbers were found out. The first five clones to produce the most female flowers produced 34 % of the flowers in 2006, 27 % of the flowers in 2007 and 36 % of the flowers in 2008. Two of the five clones (clones 14 and 39) to produce the most female flowers were among the first five clones for three years subsequently. The first five clones to produce the most male flowers produced 54 % of the flowers in 2006, 33 % of the flowers in 2007 and 35 % of the flowers in 2008. Three of the five clones (clones 38, 37 and 27) to produce the most male flowers were among the first five clones for three years subsequently.