Effect of Rootstock on Leaf Nutrients Concentration and Yield of Two Pistachio (Pistachio vera L.) Cultivars Akbari and Barg Siah

Selection of suitable pistachio rootstock and compatible cultivar are the fundamentals for establishing a pistachio orchard. The aim of this research was to investigate the effect of Pistacia vera L. rootstocks on leaf nutrients concentration and yield of two pistachio cultivars. The rootstocks included; Akbari, Badami Sefid, Badami Zarand, Barg Siah, Kaleghochi, and Sarakhs, and two pistachio cultivars;  Akbari and Barg Siah were evaluated as factorial split-plot arrangements in randomized complete block design with three replications in Feizabad pistachio research station in 2020-2021. Results showed that rootstock had significant (P<0.01) effect on the concentration of leaf nitrogen, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper and boron. Sarakhs rootstock caused the highest leaf copper concentration and the lowest boron concentration. Also, Akbari and Sarakhs rootstocks had the lowest Na: K ratio with 0.063 and 0.069, respectively. Badami Sefid rootstock had the highest Na: K ratio with 0.126. Akbari cultivar grafted on Barg Siah rootstock had the highest leaf boron concentration (337.8 mg kg-1), and cv. Akbari grafted on Sarakhs rootstock showed the lowest leaf boron concentration (221.2 mg kg-1). Sarakhs and Barg Siah rootstocks with 9.58 and 3.33 kg tree-1, respectively, had the highest and lowest effect on fresh yield. Furthermore, cv. Akbari grafted on Sarakhs rootstock had the highest number of flower buds on terminal shoot, and the highest fresh yield with 11.92 kg tree-1. In conclusion, cv. Akbari grafted on Sarakhs rootstock was identified as the most efficient rootstock-scion combination.