POPULATION VARIABILITY OF SCOTS PINE (PINUS SYLVESTRIS L.) IN TURKEY ACCORDING TO THE NEEDLE MORPHOLOGY

In the present study, needle variation of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L., Pinaceae) populations in Turkey was investigated. From selected eight populations, a total of 1314 needles belonging to 206 trees were examined. Four morphological needle traits were measured and analyzed to describe the population diversity and differentiation. Analyzed morphological traits showed significant variability. The trees within populations differ significantly in all analyzed needle characteristics, while the differences between populations were significant for the three of four studied characteristics. Present findings revealed that needle length, needle width and the ratio of needle length to needle width showed clinal variation in response to altitudinal gradients. Populations from higher altitudes were characterized with the smaller and wider needles as compared to the populations from lower altitudes. The results of this study could be valuable baseline data for the development of more efficient management plans for this forest tree species.