Germination dynamics and fungal colonization in seeds of the endemic Ehrami Black Pine (Pinus nigra J.F. Arnold. subsp. pallasiana var. fastigiata Businský)

Funda Oskay

Article Details

Germination dynamics and fungal colonization in seeds of the endemic Ehrami Black Pine (Pinus nigra J.F. Arnold. subsp. pallasiana var. fastigiata Businský)

Authors:

Funda Oskay

Publisher:

Cankiri Karatekin University

Main Topics:

Ağaç İyileştirmesi | Orman Sağlığı ve Patoloji | Orman Yetiştirme

Journal:

Anadolu Orman Araştırmaları Dergisi Vol.11 Issue 1, pp.212-224

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

6/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001338790

pISSN:

1309-856X

Keywords:

Abstract:

 Introduction and Objectives This study examined the seed quality of Ehrami pine Pinus nigra subsp. pallasiana var. fastigiata, an endemic variety of Anatolian black pine facing biotic and abiotic threats. The focus was on seed health, specifically fungal colonisation and its relationships with other seed characteristics. Methods Seeds were collected from the natural distribution area in situ and seed orchards ex situ in different years and analysed after being stored for periods ranging from 3 to 15 years. Results The thousand-seed weights of the seeds ranged from 11.18 to 20.91 g, moisture contents from 6.63 to 8.94, germination energies from 0 to 24, germination percentages from 1 to 43.50, and average germination periods from 9.00 to 16.91 days. The percentage of fungal colonisation ranged from 9 to 53.5, showing a significant negative correlation with both germination energy and germination percentage, while demonstrating a positive correlation with moisture content. Conclusions The low quality of seeds is caused by several factors, including how long the seeds have been stored and the environmental conditions they face, especially due to climate change and mistletoe during seed production. This situation is a serious long-term threat to the growth of this unique variety, given its limited and marginal distribution. Also, the poor performance of seeds from seed orchards may happen because their genetic material is less suited to local conditions compared to seeds from natural populations. Differences in microclimates where orchards are located, stress during seed maturation, and possible maintenance issues may also play a role. These show how important it is to consider genetic factors, environmental conditions, and management practices when assessing ex-situ seed resources. A thorough approach to seed health, storage conditions, and environmental stressors is essential for successfully conserving the Ehrami pine.

 Introduction and Objectives This study examined the seed quality of Ehrami pine Pinus nigra subsp. pallasiana var. fastigiata, an endemic variety of Anatolian black pine facing biotic and abiotic threats. The focus was on seed health, specifically fungal colonisation and its relationships with other seed characteristics. Methods Seeds were collected from the natural distribution area in situ and seed orchards ex situ in different years and analysed after being stored for periods ranging from 3 to 15 years. Results The thousand-seed weights of the seeds ranged from 11.18 to 20.91 g, moisture contents from 6.63 to 8.94, germination energies from 0 to 24, germination percentages from 1 to 43.50, and average germination periods from 9.00 to 16.91 days. The percentage of fungal colonisation ranged from 9 to 53.5, showing a significant negative correlation with both germination energy and germination percentage, while demonstrating a positive correlation with moisture content. Conclusions The low quality of seeds is caused by several factors, including how long the seeds have been stored and the environmental conditions they face, especially due to climate change and mistletoe during seed production. This situation is a serious long-term threat to the growth of this unique variety, given its limited and marginal distribution. Also, the poor performance of seeds from seed orchards may happen because their genetic material is less suited to local conditions compared to seeds from natural populations. Differences in microclimates where orchards are located, stress during seed maturation, and possible maintenance issues may also play a role. These show how important it is to consider genetic factors, environmental conditions, and management practices when assessing ex-situ seed resources. A thorough approach to seed health, storage conditions, and environmental stressors is essential for successfully conserving the Ehrami pine.

 Introduction and Objectives This study examined the seed quality of Ehrami pine Pinus nigra subsp. pallasiana var. fastigiata, an endemic variety of Anatolian black pine facing biotic and abiotic threats. The focus was on seed health, specifically fungal colonisation and its relationships with other seed characteristics. Methods Seeds were collected from the natural distribution area in situ and seed orchards ex situ in different years and analysed after being stored for periods ranging from 3 to 15 years. Results The thousand-seed weights of the seeds ranged from 11.18 to 20.91 g, moisture contents from 6.63 to 8.94, germination energies from 0 to 24, germination percentages from 1 to 43.50, and average germination periods from 9.00 to 16.91 days. The percentage of fungal colonisation ranged from 9 to 53.5, showing a significant negative correlation with both germination energy and germination percentage, while demonstrating a positive correlation with moisture content. Conclusions The low quality of seeds is caused by several factors, including how long the seeds have been stored and the environmental conditions they face, especially due to climate change and mistletoe during seed production. This situation is a serious long-term threat to the growth of this unique variety, given its limited and marginal distribution. Also, the poor performance of seeds from seed orchards may happen because their genetic material is less suited to local conditions compared to seeds from natural populations. Differences in microclimates where orchards are located, stress during seed maturation, and possible maintenance issues may also play a role. These show how important it is to consider genetic factors, environmental conditions, and management practices when assessing ex-situ seed resources. A thorough approach to seed health, storage conditions, and environmental stressors is essential for successfully conserving the Ehrami pine.

 Giriş ve Hedefler Bu çalışma, Anadolu karaçamının endemik bir varyetesi olan çok sınırlı bir alanda doğal yayılış gösteren ve popülasyonları çeşitli biyotik ve abiyotik tehditlerin etkisi altındaki Ehrami karaçam Pinus nigra subsp. pallasiana var. fastigiata tohumlarının bazı kalite özelliklerinin, özellikle de tohum sağlığı ile ilişkili olarak tohumlarda fungal kolonizasyon miktarlarının belirlenmesi amacı ile yürütülmüştür. Yöntemler Çalışmada taksonun, doğal yayılış alanından in situ ve tohum bahçelerinden ex situ farklı yıllarda toplanarak 3-15 yıl arasında değişen sürelerde depolanmış tohumları analiz edilmiştir. Bulgular Tohumların bin dane ağırlıkları 11,18- 20,91 g, rutubet yüzdeleri 6,63- 8,94, çimlenme enerjileri 0- 24, çimlenme yüzdeleri 1- 43,50 ve ortalama çimlenme süreleri 9,0- 16,91 gün arasındır. Fungal kolonizasyon 9- 53,50 arasında değişirken çimlenme enerjisi ve çimlenme yüzdesi ile negatif, nem içeriği ile pozitif yönde anlamlı korelasyon göstermiştir. Sonuçlar Tohumların düşük kalite özellikleri, depolama süresi ve tohum sahalarının çevresel koşullarındaki bozulmalarla ilişkilendirilebilir. Bu durum, marjinal ve sınırlı yayılışa sahip bu endemik varyetenin popülasyon yenilenme kapasitesi açısından uzun vadede ciddi bir tehdit oluşturmaktadır. Diğer taraftan tohum bahçelerinden elde edilen tohumların da son derece düşük performans göstermesi, genetik materyalin doğal popülasyona kıyasla çevresel koşullara daha az uyum sağlaması, bahçelerin bulunduğu bölgelerdeki mikroklimatik farklılıklar, tohum olgunlaşma dönemindeki stres faktörleri ve muhtemel bakım eksiklikleriyle ilişkili olabilir. Bu bulgular, ex situ tohum kaynaklarının etkinliğini değerlendirmede yalnızca genetik değil, aynı zamanda çevresel ve yönetimsel faktörlerin de dikkate alınması gerektiğini göstermektedir. Bulgular, Ehrami karaçamının etkin korunması için tohum sağlığı, depolama koşulları ve çevresel stres faktörlerinin bütüncül şekilde ele alınması gerektiğini ortaya koymuştur.

Article Details

Germination dynamics and fungal colonization in seeds of the endemic Ehrami Black Pine (Pinus nigra J.F. Arnold. subsp. pallasiana var. fastigiata Businský)

Authors:

Funda Oskay

Publisher:

Cankiri Karatekin University

Main Topics:

Ağaç İyileştirmesi | Orman Sağlığı ve Patoloji | Orman Yetiştirme

Journal:

Anadolu Orman Araştırmaları Dergisi Vol.11 Issue 1, pp.212-224

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

6/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001338790

pISSN:

1309-856X

Ehrami karaçam

seed fungi

germination

forest pathology

seed pathologyEhrami karaçam

tohum fungusları

çimlenme

orman patolojisi

tohum patolojisi

Issues

Article Details

Authors: Funda Oskay

Publisher: Cankiri Karatekin University

Main Topics: Ağaç İyileştirmesi | Orman Sağlığı ve Patoloji | Orman Yetiştirme

Journal: Anadolu Orman Araştırmaları Dergisi Vol.11 Issue 1, pp.212-224

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 6/2025

Document Language: Turkish

Document ID (Org No.): 2001338790

pISSN: 1309-856X

Issues

Authors:

Funda Oskay

Publisher:

Cankiri Karatekin University

Main Topics:

Ağaç İyileştirmesi | Orman Sağlığı ve Patoloji | Orman Yetiştirme

Journal:

Anadolu Orman Araştırmaları Dergisi Vol.11 Issue 1, pp.212-224

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

6/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001338790

pISSN:

1309-856X