Study of Mineral Nutrients Concentration Changes in Leaf and Shoot of Pistachio Trees in Two Consecutive Years

According to alternate bearing of pistachio trees, changes of nutrient concentrations in leaves and shoots of pistachio trees in a completely randomized block design with equal sampling experiment by 3 replications and equal sampling (9 samples in each plat) and 3 treatments of time was carried out. At first, according to the results of soil testing, N, P and K nutrients were added in all treatments. At the first year (on-year), results showed that P concentration decreased in leaves and shoots. However, K concentration increased in the leaves. Also, 10 (first time) to 32 (second time) days after flowering, Na concentration in leaves and shoots diminished 33 and 50% respectively but it increased significantly until August. Ca and Mg concentration in leaf and shoot increased during the growth period. Zn Concentration’s change in leaf and shoots was completely descending. Concentration of copper in leaf increased from 22.1 to 25/5 (mg kg-1) but then it decreased. In the second year (off-year), concentration of P in leaf and shoot same as the first year decreased but, concentration of this element was less than fruiting year at 3 times sampling. Also, leaf and shoot K concentration decreased. Na and Mg concentrations in leaf and shoots were same as the 1st year. Against of the 1st year, amount of calcium decreased. Zinc and copper concentrations increased. As a conclusion, alternative bearing will affect leaf and shoots nutrients content of pistachio trees. That may be, one of the effective factors of alternative bearing is changing in nutrient concentration.