Effect of sowing time and media on germination of Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle seed

Ailanthus altisima (Mill.) Swingle is an important species used in afforestation works in Turkey, and is preferred in afforestation of arid regions and infertile regions, in erosion control works and in large industrial cities because it is very resistant to smoke and toxic gases. Within the scope of the study, it was aimed to determine the effect of different media and sowing time on the germination of Ailanthus altisima seeds. The research was conducted in Karadeniz Technical University Faculty of Forestry Research and Application Greenhouse. Ailanthus altisima seeds were obtained from the trees in the KTU Kanuni campus in November, which is the natural seed fall time. Sowing was carried out on specially prepared seedbeds. Sowing was carried out on special seedbeds in November and March and on traditional seedbeds in January. The 1000 seed weight was determined before sowing. Seeds were sown on special seedbeds in two different ways as without the pericarp and with pericarp, and by line sowing method using seeds with pericarp on the traditional seedbeds. According to the results of the study, it was determined that sowing seeds with or without pericarp in autumn was effective in on the germination percentage. However, it has been detected that it is not important sowing seeds with or without pericarp in the spring season, when the temperature and humidity required for germination can be easily ensured. Both sowing treatments (seed with pericarp 94.17%, seed without pericarp 99.45%) had almost similar germination percentages. It has been determined that the appropriate planting time for Ailanthus altissima seeds is spring in terms of germination percentages, and it has been revealed that it would be appropriate to sowing under greenhouse conditions in order to meet the need for seedlings in autumn.