Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Plant and Soil, 2025 (SCI-Expanded)
Background and Aims: This study investigates the changes in site factors, productivity (site index, rooting depth, and biomass), and topsoil (0–15 cm) physicochemical characteristics of Scots pine forests concerning pine mistletoe infection on different parent materials in a semi-arid ecosystem. Methods: The study was conducted in 114 sample plots of granite (25), carbonates-limestone (33), and andesite-basalt (56). Soil and biomass samples were obtained. The amount and severity of the mistletoe were determined using the 6-degree dwarf mistletoe classification system. Results: Mistletoe infection was seen in all the parent materials, and the infection ratio was highest (75.8%) in carbonates-limestone. The carbonates-limestone had the highest biomass loss, the lowest mistletoe biomass, and the lowest total biomass in mistletoe-infected areas. Furthermore, the lowest productivity of the uninfected sample plots was in carbonates-limestone. The altitude and radiation index of the parent materials were lower in high-infected sample plots. The high-infected areas in carbonates-limestone have the most humid sites. Relationships between mistletoe infection and soil indicated that soil properties varied with mistletoe infection levels. On the other hand, chemical soil properties (pH, EC, Ca++, Mg++, K+, and Na+) in topsoil (0–15 cm) increased significantly with mistletoe infection severity. Conclusion: Our results offered a comprehensive view of the distribution of pine mistletoe in different parent materials, along with its impact on productivity and the physicochemical properties of the soil in the semi-arid ecosystem. The results of this study provided critical information on mistletoe distribution, productivity, parent material, and soil properties after pine mistletoe infection.