The effects of growing density and fertilization on morphological seedling characteristics of crimean juniper (Juniperus excelsa Bieb.)

Abstract

In this study, the effects of growing density and fertilization on the morphological characteristics of the Crimean Juniper (Juniperus excelsa Bieb.) seedlings were investigated. For this purpose, four different growing densities [150, 250, 350 and 600 (= control) seedlings per square meter] and three different fertilizer doses [0 g N (= control), 10 g N and 20 g N per square meter] were studied. In this context, the effects of the treatments on the height (SH), root collar diameter (RCD), number of sub branches (NSB), the longest lateral root length (LRL) and shoot:root ratio (S:R) of the seedlings, which are among the important morphological characteristics, were examined. The data were evaluated in SPSS software. Results showed that the main factor affecting the root collar diameter of the seedlings was growing density. Similarly, it was found that the main factor working on the seedling height was fertilization dose. As a conclusion; it was suggested that cultivation of barerooted Crimean Juniper seedlings in the Eğirdir Forestry Nursery should be carried out with 150-350 seedlings per square meter and 10 g/m2 N application.