Age-related variation in needle physical properties of Black pine (Pinus nigra Arnold)

Home Page
About
Submit A Journal
Submit A Conference
Submit Paper/Book
- Submit a Preprint
- Submit a Book
Contact

Anadolu Orman Araştırmaları Dergisi
Cilt: 11 Sayı: 2
Age-related variation in needle physical properties of Black pine (Pinus nigra Arnold)

Age-related variation in needle physical properties of Black pine (Pinus nigra Arnold)

Authors : Ebtehal M. Kaddour, Serdar Akburak

Pages : 0-0

Doi:10.53516/ajfr.1828451

View : 43 | Download : 67

Publication Date : 2025-12-31

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Background and Aims This study investigated the variation in physical properties of black pine (Pinus nigra Arnold) needles, according to elevation, stand development stage, needle age, and seasonal factors. Method Needle samples were collected seasonally (May 2024, July 2024, September 2024, November 2024) from 12 stands across two elevation ranges (750–1000 m and 1000–1250 m) and two stand development stages (b–bc and c–cd). Needles were classified into four age groups (current year 0, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd year needles), and needle length, sheath length, mean diameter, and 1,000-needle weight were measured. Results Analysis results revealed that needle age had a statistically significant effect on all physical properties. Current-year needles (0) exhibited the lowest length (7.71 cm) and lowest weight (76.38 g), while one-year-old needles (1) reached maximum values (11.01 cm; 135.28 g). Sheath length decreased systematically with needle age (0: 1.41 cm; 3: 0.35 cm). Seasonally, needle characteristics (except for the sheath length) developed throughout the summer season, reaching maximum values in autumn. In terms of elevation, only the average diameter and the weight needles showed significant differences. The stand development stage affected all needle properties, with longer and heavier needles observed in the c–cd stage stands. Correlation analysis detected a strong positive relationship between needle length and weight and a strong negative relationship between sheath length and needle age. Conclusion These findings demonstrate that black pine needle traits are sensitive to elevation, stand development stage and seasonal gradients, and that needle properties can be used as an indicator of site quality and forest health.
Keywords : Karaçam, ibre morfolojisi, yükseklik, meşcere gelişim çağı, ibre yaşı, Alaçam Dağları

ORIGINAL ARTICLE URL

* There may have been changes in the journal, article,conference, book, preprint etc. informations. Therefore, it would be appropriate to follow the information on the official page of the source. The information here is shared for informational purposes. IAD is not responsible for incorrect or missing information.