CLONAL VARIATIONS IN GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS OF ANATOLIAN BLACK PINE SEED ORCHARDS

Abstract

Seed orchard is an important cultivated seed source to produce genetically seed crop for forestry practices. Growth characteristics have important roles in management of seed orchards and seed harvesting. Growth variations among seed orchards, and among clones within orchard were investigated in three seed orchards of Anatolian black pine [Pinus nigra Arnold subsp. pallasiana (Lamb.) Holmboe] based on tree height, diameter at base, diameter at breast height, and crown diameter measured at end of growth period of 2022. The seed orchards were established consist of 30, 30 and 34 clones selected phenotypically from natural stands in 1994 (SO1), 1991 (SO2) and 1985 (SO3), respectively. Averages of tree height (9.30 m), diameter at base (31.91 cm), diameter at breast height (27.13 cm), and crown diameter (7.09 m) were the highest in SO3, while they were the lowest as 5.78 m, 24.50 cm, 20.26 cm, 5.00 m, respectively in SO2. However, clones and ramet within clone in seed orchards showed large differences for the characteristics. For instance, clonal averages of crown diameter ranged from 3.55 m to 6.46 m in SO2. SO1 had the highest annual increments for the characteristics except of tree height of SO3. Results of analysis of variance indicated significant (p?0.05) differences among the orchards, and among clones within orchard except of tree heights of SO1 and SO2 for the characteristics. Tree height was more homogeneous than the other characteristics according to the Duncan’s multiple range test. Positive and significant (p?0.05) relations were found between the pairs of tree height, diameter at base, diameter at breast height, and crown diameter in each seed orchard both phenotypic and genotypic. Results of the study could be used in establishment and management of seed orchards. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.