Quantitative analysis of fruit production of Cornus mas L. in Arasbaran forests

Cornelian cherry grows naturally in Arasbaran forests and a plenty amount of its fruit have annually been exploited in traditional manner. This study aimed to determine the cornelian cherry fruit production and the relationship between vegetative characteristics and amount of fruit production for three consecutive years. For this purpose, as cornelian cherry habitat, the forest stand by 50 hectares in Kalaleh village in North West of Iran (Arasbaran region) was selected. To determine cornelian cherry fruit production per hectare, the number of cornelian cherry stems per hectare was determined along 15 transects with distance of 100 m apart from each other. To estimate fruit product, a number of 45 individuals of cornelian cherry were selected and then marked along transects with randomized systematic method. Then, for three years, similar vegetative characteristics: total height (m), crown height (m), crown diameter (m), diameter at breast height (mm), diameter at collar (mm), number of coppice shoots and fruit product (gr) were measured annually. Mathematical model regression to determine relationship between the measured vegetative characteristics and fruit production per stem were established. Then Fruit product per hectare was calculated given the number of stems per hectares. According to survey results, the mean number of Cornelian cherry was calculated 530 individuals per hectare. Average fruit production in three consecutive years, respectively 446.97, 318.69 and 253.37grams for each trees. Also was found that three characteristics: canopy diameter, diameter at collar of the main stem and number of coppice shoots were significantly correlated with the fruits product. These three characteristics can be used as crucial factors in the management and silviculture operations of the forest in order to increase the fruit production.