Survey of Trojan fir seed orchard in Edremit-Gurgendag Region of Turkey

Abstract

Abies nordmanniana ssp. Equitrojani, with a limited distribution in Northwestern Anatolia (Kazdaglari Mountain ranges), is one of the four Abies taxa naturally grown in Turkey. Regeneration problems are caused when establishing seed orchards for this important conifer. Seed and cone pests are the main problems encountered in orchards. This study was conducted between the years of 2006 and 2008 in Edremit-Gurgendag Seed Orchard located in Balikesir, Turkey. Four pests, Megastigmus suspectus Borr. (Hymenoptera, Torymidae), Dasineura abiesemia (Foote), Resseliella piceae Seitn. (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae) and Dioryctria abietella (Den. and Schiff.) (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae) with 1224 individuals, were recorded at the end of the study. An attempt was made to calculate the cone infestation index and the damage rates to cones of each pest.

Key words: Trojan fir, seed orchard, seminiphagous insects, conophagous insects.