Evaluation of the growth and status of some nutrients in pistachio seedlings treated with phosphorus under different levels of irrigation water salinity

Abstract

Purpose: Irrigation with saline water and poor quality and fertility of the soil are the most important factors limiting the growth, establishment and yield of pistachio trees in many pistachio farming areas of Iran. Considering the role of phosphorus (P) in many key plant processes, the purpose of this experiment is to investigate the role of P nutrition in improving the growth of pistachio seedlings at different levels of irrigation water salinity. Research method: A greenhouse study was carried out as a factorial combination based on a completely randomized design with three replications. The treatments include two levels of P [Control (P0), and 30 mg kg-1 soil (P1) as triple superphosphate] and three levels of irrigation water salinity (0, 5 and 10 dS m-1). Findings: Irrigation with saline water (10 dS.m-1) significantly decreased the shoot dry weight (94%), root dry weight (64%), leaf area (62%), plant height (35%), shoot and root P content (41% and 52%), shoot K content (40%) and shoot and root K/Na (85% and 28%) of pistachio seedlings. However, the application of P increased the growth parameters and the concentration of P and K elements in the shoots and roots of pistachio seedlings at different levels of irrigation water salinity. Research limitations: no limitations were encountered. Originality/Value: According to the results of this experiment, the use of P increased the growth of pistachio seedlings in the saline condition.