An adaptation study on four provenances of Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris Linn) (Case study: Ladjim forest, Mazindaran)

This reserach was conducted to investigate the Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) adaptation in midland areas of Ladjim forests (Sari-Iran). The study was carried out as randomized completely block design with four treatments (based on different provenances of Pinus sylvestris) and three replicates during 1990 to 2005. Four provenances of Pinus sylvestris L. were collected fromUkraine,Turkey, Spine andFrance. In each plot 100-two year old seedling were planted in 2m×2m spacing. After 15 years, the results showed that the Turkish and Spanish Provenance had the lighest and lowest survial in the study area, 81.68% and 60.33%, respectively. Analysis of quantitative data indicated that the Ukrainian provenance (mean DBH and total height equal to 12.43 cm and l7.72 m, respectively) had the best growth. Also the results of plantation quality based on health, vitality, crown and trunk quality showed that the Ukrainian provenance with 78% alive trees is in excellent and good quality and had the best ranking among the other provenances in Ladjim forests. Ukrainian and French Provenances are recommended for plantation of destructed areas having similar ecological conditions in North of Iran where planting the native deciduous species plantation is not possible.