ABSTRACT Background: In this study, the impact of Effective Microorganism (EM) applications on some physiological characteristics of 2+0 aged, containerized Taurus cedar (Cedrus libani A.Rich.) seedlings were investigated. EM-1, EM-A, EM-5, and EM-Gold were used as effective microorganism varieties. EM application was repeated twice at two different times. The first application was carried out in April-May 2017 at the beginning of the vegetation period, and the second application was carried out in June-July, when the growth of seedlings was the most active period, according to a randomized plot design with three replications. Results: Physiological measurements on seedlings were carried out at the end of the second vegetation period. According to the results of the study, it was determined that the EM type, dose and application time factors had a significant effect on physiological characteristics such as Chlorophyll a, Chlorophyll b, Total Chlorophyll, Photosynthesis Rate, Transpiration and Relative Humidity. EM-A had a positive effect on photosynthesis rate and EM-5 had a positive effect on all other measured physiological parameters. High dose of EMs had the most positive effect on relative humidity, while medium dose of EMs had the most positive effect on chlorophyll values, transpiration rate and photosynthesis rate. In addition, it was determined that EM application at the beginning of the vegetation period had an increasing effect on all measured physiological parameter values. Conclusion: According to the results of the study, it was concluded that EMs have a positive effect on the physiological quality characteristics of Taurus cedar seedlings and can contribute to the production of seedlings with higher adaptability in afforestation.

ABSTRACT The purpose of the research is to identify the effect of soil factor on the ability of Scots pine to adapt to technogenic pollution based on comparative analysis of radial increment of the species which grows on soils of different fertility. The null hypothesis that soil fertility is a significant factor for adaptation was tested. The research area i.e. the plantation created in 1983 and exposed to pollution of aero-technogenic emissions of magnesium production Satka/Chelyabinsk Region/Russia, is located within the central part of the subzone of coniferous-broad-leaved and South-taiga coniferous forests of the Southern Urals. The analysis of annual growth rings (AGR) of Scots pine growing on soils of different fertility allowed us to estimate the effect of soil factor on the ability of Scots pine to adapt to magnesite pollution. As results of the research it was found that the differences in the AGR of Scots pine growing on soils of different fertility was statistically significant under the same level of technogenic pollution. During the investigation period (1994-2010), the AGR of Scots pine on fertile soils were significantly higher than those of on poor soils for 7 years. It was revealed that the positive effect of soil fertility on the Scots pine growth is leveled at the level of pollution exceeding 6-10 thousand tons per year of gaseous emissions and 25-30 thousand tons per year of total emissions. It was also found that soil fertility allows better adaptation of Scots pine to low temperatures, and more actively grow on sites with increasing precipitation.