Abstract

Interaction between Cone Production and Growth Traits and its Effect on Fertility Variation in Turkish Aleppo Pine (Pinus halepensis mill.) Populations

Author(s): Mahmut Cercioglu and Nebi Bilir*

Cone production and growth characteristics (height, diameter at breast height, and crown diameter) were related, and also some genetics parameters were estimated to contribute for silvi cultural and genetic-breeding practices of Aleppo Pine (Pinus halepensis Mill.) in this study. The data was collected 50 mother trees sampled randomly, from each three plantation areas/populations in Osmaniye district at southern part of Turkey in April-May of 2013. Average of number of cones per tree was 98, while there were large differences among populations (pï‚£0.05) and within population. However, cone production was 50% higher in lowest population than that of highest population. The fertility variations and coancestry were 1.49 and 0.005, respectively in polled populations. Effective number of parents and relative effective number of parents (67.2%, 69.7%, and 74.6%) were similar in the populations. Age, diameter at breast height and crown diameter have positive and significant (pï‚£0.05) effect on cone production. Results of the study were discussed for forestry practice and genetic-breeding of the species.