Page 213 - Çevre Şehir ve İklim Dergisi İngilizce - Özel Sayı

Bilgi Sarihan - Ramazan Acar Çakır
Aydın Uzun

3.3.2. Establishment of a Gene Bank Composed of High-Quality and
Resilient Individuals
It is crucial to ensure that the genotypes used in afforestation come from
natural species that have adapted to the current climate and soil conditions,
using generative (seeds) and vegetative (grafting, cuttings, etc.) propagation
material, in order to preserve local genetic biodiversity and ecological
characteristics.
Genetic resources are being developed for use in efforts to combat climate
change and desertification, ranging from the planting of urban parks and
gardens to the creation of new carbon sink areas in the future. In this regard,
the efforts to establish a Natural Quince and Hawthorn Genetic Resources
Garden have been initiated in collaboration with ÇEMGM, Erciyes University,
OGM, Eğirdir Horticultural Research Institute, and Alata Horticultural Research
Institute with the aim of conserving and propagating high-quality individuals
of the “Wild Pear (Pyrus elaeagnifolia)” and “Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.)”
species (ÇEM, 2018; ÇEM, 2022). In the study carried out by Erciyes University,
where laboratory work was conducted, ÇEMGM took on the task of collecting
genotype materials from the field.
The first project carried out within the scope of two species is the
“Identification of Large-Fruited Types in Natural Wild Pear (Pyrus elaeagnifolia
Pall.) Populations, Molecular Characterization, Vegetative Propagation
Capacities, Determining Their Potential Use in Arid and Semi-Arid Areas,
and Their Conservation - R&D Project” (ÇEM, 2018), and the second project
is the “Identification of Large and Yellow-Fruited Types in Natural Hawthorn
(Crataegus Spp.) Populations, Molecular Characterization, Vegetative
Propagation Capacities, Determining Their Potential Use in Arid and Semi-
Arid Areas, and Their Conservation - R&D Project” (ÇEM, 2022).
Molecular characterization studies and tissue culture analyses have revealed
high levels of variation among the genotypes. Genotypes that stand out in terms
of fruit size and certain tree characteristics have been identified as resistant and
genetically high-quality, and can be used for various purposes (afforestation in
arid areas, park-garden planting, fruit yield, etc.). The identified genotypes have
been propagated through grafting and placed under protection.
Approximately 100 natural wild pear and hawthorn trees have been
identified from more than 20 provinces located in the arid and semi-arid
regions of our country, and grafting cuttings, leaf, and fruit materials have
been collected from trees with large fruits, healthy appearances, and those
grown in extreme conditions, and grafting plots and genetic material gardens
for these two species have been established in three provinces (Isparta,
Burdur, and Kayseri) (Figure 14).

200 Journal of Environment, Urban and Climate