The effects of salinity stress on germination and seedling growth of some pine species (Pinus sylvestris, P. nigra, P. brutia, P. pinea and P. pinaster)

Salinity, which is an important problem for the world's soils, is increasing with climate change, drought, and desertification. With global climate change, especially in Central Anatolia and Southeastern Anatolia regions of Türkiye, which are dominated by continental climate, it is predicted that snowfall will decrease with the increase in average temperatures and a greater water scarcity will occur in these regions, however, it is estimated that salinity will increase in soils with drought. In this thesis, the effects of salinity stress of different intensity [Control, 100 mM, 200 mM and 300 mM Sodium Chloride (NaCI)] on the germination and early seedling growth of seeds of different pine species [Pinus silvestris L. (Scots pine), P. nigra Arnold. (Anatolian black pine), P. brutia Ten. (Brutian pine), P. pinea L. (Stone pine) and P. pinaster (Maritima pine)] were investigated. For this purpose; seed germination percentages and seedling morphological characters (root collar diameter, seedling length, rootlet length, stem fresh weight, root fresh weight, stem dry weight, root dry weight, seedling fresh weight, seedling dry weight) were determined. As a result of the research; It has been found that maritima pine seeds are the most tolerant to salt stress during the germination stage. High doses of salt stress generally negatively affected seed germination.