1300 Journal of Food, Agriculture & Environment, Vol.11 (2), April 2013 www.world-food.net Journal of Food, Agriculture & Environment Vol.11 (2): 1300-1304. 2013 WFL Publisher Science and Technology Meri-Rastilantie 3 B, FI-00980 Helsinki, Finland e-mail: info@world-food.net Received 21 January 2013, accepted 28 April 2013. Effect of different concentrations of effective microorganisms (Baikal EM1) on the root collar diameter and height growth in the seedlings of Anatolian black pine [Pinus nigra Arnold. subsp. pallasiana Lamb. (Holmboe)] Atilla Atik Department of Landscape Architecture, Inonu University, 44280, Malatya, Turkey. e-mail: atikatilla@hotmail.com Abstract In the present study, effect of Baikal EM1, a product of EM technology, on the root collar diameter and height growth of 1+0 aged seedlings of Anatolian black pine [Pinus nigra Arnold. subsp. pallasiana Lamb. (Holmboe)] growing in Kozcağız Temporary Nursery was investigated. Seedlings were treated with three different concentrations of Baikal EM1 solution from seed dibbling. Related morphologic parameters were measured in four treatment types at the end of vegetation season. Statistical comparison of morphologic data for treatments was performed using ANOVA test while the treatments were categorised using Duncan test. Compared to control, mean root collar diameter growth was found to be 20% higher in seedlings in T1 treatment type (Baikal EM1 concentration of 1:1000) and nearly 31% more in T2 and T3 treatment type while height growth was 22% more in T1 treatment and 34% in T2 and T3 treatment. Difference between treatment groups for root collar diameter and height growth was found to be statistically significant in from the results of ANOVA test (p<0.05). According to the results of Duncan test, T2 and T3 treatment categories where Baikal EM1 was used in the concentration rates of 1:500 and 1:100 respectively, took place in the same group considering both morphological values. It was suggested form the result of the study that Baikal EM1 should be used in the concentration of 1:500 for the 1+0 aged seedlings of Anatolian black pine originating from Kumluca and growing under the conditions of Kozcağız Temporary Nursery. Findings of the study were in convenience with literature and Baikal EM1, a product of EM technology, was observed to contribute positively to the root collar diameter growth of the seedlings of Anatolian black pine. It is thought that Baikal EM1 can be used to obtain quality black pine seedlings in nurseries by developing root collar and plant height. It was also suggested that effect of Baikal EM1 on the growth of seedlings in different growing mediums of nurseries should be investigated by taking different species including forest and fruit trees at various ages. Key words: Effective microorganisms, seedling height, root collar diameter, ANOVA, nursery, Baikal EM1. Introduction It was determined from recent inventory studies that 21.5 million ha of forest land covers 28% of Turkey’s surface area, 11.2 million ha (52%) of which is productive forest and the remaining 10.3 million ha (48%) including degraded coppice is low or non- productive no yield at all or low yield. Conifer forests cover nearly 61% (13.2 million ha) of Turkey’s total forest area 1 . Anatolian black pine [Pinus nigra Arnold. subsp. pallasiana Lamb. (Holmboe)] is one of the commonest and economically important native conifers in Turkey 2 and has the second largest expansion area (4.2 million ha) after red pine (Pinus brutia Ten.) among coniferous species 3 . Black pine may grow naturally in seven geographical regions of Turkey except Eastern Anatolia 4 . Anatolian black pine constitutes pure or mixed forests in the mountainous parts of Turkey’s coastal regions, even goes into steppe. It constitutes forest stands which are pure or mixed with oriental beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky.), oak (Quercus sp.), red pine (Pinus brutia Ten.), Lebanon cedar (Cedrus libani A. Rich.), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and juniper (Juniperus sp.) species on the inward slopes of North Anatolian mountains, on the northern slopes of the Western and southern Anatolia. It surrounds the coastal areas of Middle and Western Black Sea, Marmara, Aegean and Mediterranean Regions and goes into Central Anatolian steppe. Its naturally vertical distribution is between 700 and 2100 m 2, 5-9 . Black pine is the only species to be planted in each of seven geographic regions of Turkey 4 . In order to meet the need for seedlings, 112 million black pine seedlings were grown in 2012 in the nurseries. Black pine is in the first row for seedling propagation in the rate of 22% in Turkey 1 . Generally, afforestation value of seedlings can be measured by considering the quality of their seedlings 10 . However, one of the most important problems of nurseries in Turkey is the low fertility of their soils. Poor management for a long time and deficiency of organic and artificial fertilizer caused reduced productivity of nurseries by decreasing the quality of produced seedlings 11 . As in other agricultural activities, use of chemical fertilisers in nurseries will deter natural reserves both directly and indirectly, therefore, there is a need for biological and natural materials in order to increase the fertility of nurseries and produce quality seedlings. An important component of organic agriculture is effective microorganisms (EM) technology and it is recognized as such in