Investigation of germination and seedling characteristics of pistachio seed (Pistacia vera L.) in Khajeh Kalat forest of Mashhad

One of the valuable species of Iranian forests in Iran and Turan is the wild pistachio species and they have high economic value. Seed production is one of the important topics in forestry and rehabilitation and afforestation programs with seeds and seedlings, and therefore the need to obtain the necessary information about the quality and quantity of seeds of this species is felt more than ever. First, to collect seed samples, a land unit map was prepared. After superimposing the direction, slope and elevation maps, the pistachio seeds were collected from the designated areas. Seeds were collected from 23 sampling areas. Percentage of viability, germination rate, germination value and mean day of germination for each seed mass based on the formulas and calculations of seed testing and the rules of the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) was determined. The results showed that the direction, elevation and slope factor at 1% level had a significant effect on viability, germination value, and mean day of germination and seed germination rate. The results of comparing the means showed that at high elevation and in the direction of north and south and a slope above 60%, pistachio seeds had the highest percentage of viability. Also, the results of comparing the mean value of pistachio seed germination showed that at low elevation, north direction and slope of 0-30%, pistachio seed germination value was high. Mean day of germination in the south direction and slope above 60%, the highest mean day germination and also in two elevation and east and west and slope above 60% had the highest germination rate of pistachio seeds.