Adaptation of endemic mediterranean Sternbergia candida Mathew Et T. Baytop in the continental climate of central anatolia

• Published in: Scientia horticulturae Vol. 123; no. 1; pp. 99 - 103
• Main Authors: Gurbuz, Bilal, Arslan, Neset, Khawar, Khalid Mahmood, Ipek, Arif, Sarihan, Ercument Osman, Ozcan, Sebahattin, Parmaksiz, Iskender, Mirici, Semra
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01-12-2009; [Amsterdam; New York, NY]: Elsevier Science; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adaptation; Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Biological and medical sciences; Bulb diameter; bulbs; climatic factors; cut flowers; diameter; endangered species; Flowering; Fruit set; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; habitats; height; international trade; leaves; plant adaptation; plant growth; Plant height; regrowth; Sternbergia; Sternbergia candida; vegetative propagation; wild plants; Turkey (country); Turkey; Asia; Mediterranean Basin; Middle east; Flowering; Sternbergia candida; Fruit set; Bulb diameter; Plant height; Adaptation; Horticulture; Continental climate; Fungi; Bulb; Candida; Fungi Imperfecti; Mediterranean region; Diameter; Fructification
• ISSN: 0304-4238; 1879-1018
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scienta.2009.08.003

Sternbergia candida is an important endemic bulbous plant with beautiful white flowers. It grows on the rock slopes of Baba mountains under Lebanon Cedars in the Mugla province of Turkey with Mediterranean climate. The plant is vulnerable and endangered due to illegal collection for local and foreign flower industry. Fast developing tourism industry and rapid urbanization has also shown negative implications on its population. The study reports three years successful adaptation results of
S. candida in the continental climate of Ankara in the Central Anatolia. Four groups of bulbs based on diameter (>2.45, 2.15–2.44, 1.85–2.14 and <1.84
cm) were collected from its natural habitat during March, April and May 1998 and were evaluated for frequency (%) of emergence, mean number of leaves per plant, mean plant height, frequency (%) of flowering, frequency (%) of fruit setting. mean number of bulbs per plant, and mean diameter (cm) of regenerated bulbs. All categories of bulbs could be multiplied and adapted successfully with variable frequency of fruit setting. However, the highest fruit set was recorded from 2.15–2.44
cm April collected bulbs. This indicated that the bulb diameter and collection time had clear implications on multiplication, propagation and adaptation of the plant.