Effect of seedbed density and transplanting on seedling quality characteristics off boxelder (Acer negundo L.) and sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus L.)

In this research, the effects of seedbed density and transplanting on seedling quality of 1+0 year-old boxelder (Acer negundo L.) and sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) were investigated. Seedlings were grown in E?irdir Forest Nursery using randomized block design with three replications. Control, transplanting and three different density treatments (139, 69 and 46 seedlings/m2) were applied on standard seedbeds. Control treatments contained 325 seedling per square meter in boxelder plots and 160 seedlings in sycamore plots. According to the results; seedling density had significant effect on morphological characteristics and carbohydrate concentrations of the seedlings. In general, as the seedling density was reduced, root collar diameter, fresh and dry weights, number of lateral roots, fine roots and buds were increased. In addition, height/diameter and shoot/root ratios were decreased while root percentage and quality index were increased. On the other hand, carbohydrate concentrations of the seedlings were decreased as the density decreased. Reduction in density resulted in higher percentage of seedlings classified as 1st class according to TSE (TS5624/Mart 1988) broadleaf seedling standards. These results indicated that growing 46-69 seedlings per square meter should increase the ratio of higher quality maple seedling in E?irdir Forest Nursery. However, even higher seedling densities up to 139 seedlings per square meter can produce similar ratios but much greater amount (2-3 fold) of acceptable seedlings, and this level of density may be a better alternative for better utilization of the nursery ground.