In this research, the effects of seed bed density on morphological, physiological properties and field performance of 2-0 Anatolian black pine seedlings were investigated.
In nursery stage, seeds from Afyon Ahırdağı provenance were sawn in 7 lines which were prepared in the spring of 2002. Having completed of germination, the seedlings were thinned out so as to leave them 1.5-2.5-5.0-7.5-10.0 cm spacings, five levels, with a pruning shears. Randomized blocks design was used for distribution of treatments upon to seedbeds and experiment was established as three replications. Besides, three control parcels, determined randomly, were added to the experiment . A minimum of 150 seedlings were left on every treatment plots (450 seedlings for every treatment) during the thinning.
In laboratory stage, pulling out the seedlings, 2-0 year-old, in 2004 spring, seedling height, root-collar diameter, fresh and dry shoot weights, fresh and dry root weights, length of terminal bud, the longest subterminal branch length, number of branch, number of buds on sucker were determined. And 40 seedlings were divided into four groups for each treatment. Mixed needle, shoot and root specimens belonging to these groups were analyzed to determine the nutrient concentrations (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu). Besides, root regeneration capacity was determined in line with the standard method for ten seedlings pertaining to each treatment.
In the field stage, seedlings remaining in seedbeds were pulled out and planted on field. Randomized blocks design was performed and experiment was established as three replications. 40 seedlings were planted on each treatment parcel and spacing was 3.0x1.5 m. Diameter and length measurements were performed on the seedlings following the planting. Care and observations were continued and survival percentage with diameter and length growth were measured at the and of each vegetation period along three years after planting.
According to statistically evaluations, treatment V (10.0 cm interval) showed the best growth from the point of view FB, FB/KBÇ ratio, GTA, KTA, TTU, EUYDU, DS, SÜTS, GKA, KKA while treatment V and IV (7.5 cm interval) showed those from the point of view KBÇ.
Treatment V (10.0 cm interval) and III (5.0 cm interval) realized the best growth with respect to total root length and number of root longer than 1 cm. Significant differences were determined between the treatments in point of nutrients in needles, shoots and roots of the seedlings. Nutrient percentages diminished with decrease in seed bed density, except N and Zn, generally. But total nutrient content in the roots was affected from decrease in seed bed density positively.
No significant differences were determined between the treatments with regard to survival percentage. But growth in diameter and length at the end of the third vegetation period increased with decrease in seed bed density and treatment V showed the best performance. The spell of planting shock took a year and there were no significant differences between the treatments.
%93, %28 %22, %29 and %1, of the control seedlings, treatment I, II, III and IV were out of standard according to Turkish Standards Institution, respectively. All seedlings of treatment V was in line with the standard.
Thinning by a pruning shears so as to be 10.0 cm interval is necessary for production of quality seedlings, evaluating all data together. Intervals between the seedlings can be 7.5 cm where field scarcity problem exists. But the intervals should not be reduced under 7.5 cm.