The study on compatibility of six pistachio cultivars on clone rootstocks.

At present, all pistachio rootstocks in pistachio plantation areas are seed-raised. As a result, the heterogeneity of rootstocks has led in quantitative and qualitative differences in the characteristics of trees of each cultivar. On the other hand, the propagation of resistant rootstocks by seed-raised method is not possible; therefore, development of tissue culture rootstocks and the study of cultivars adapted to these rootstocks are essential. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the adaptation of six commercial pistachio cultivars to tissue culture root stocks of Badami-Zarand cultivar. This study was conducted in randomized complete block design with six treatments (pistachio cultivars including Kaleh-Ghoochi, Rezayi ZoodRas, Fandoghi, Forootani, Akbari, Ahmad-Aghaei) and three replications in Kerman Pistachio Research Station. Results of variance analysis indicated that all evaluated traits were significantly different among the cultivars. In terms of growth parameter, among the studied cultivars, Ahmad-Aghaei cultivar has the highest values and the most favorable growth status. There are interactions between the scions of various pistachio cultivars grafted onto the tissue culture rootstock (Badami-Zarand) and the rootstock, which leads in different rates of nutrient absorption by the rootstock. Among the studied cultivars, Ahmad-Aghaei cultivar has the maximum adaptability to the tissue culture rootstock, which resulted in higher absorption of nutrients by the rootstock. Ahmad-Aghaei has also the highest leaf nutrient content. In contrast, Akbari cultivar has the minimum adaptability to tissue culture rootstocks. The results of correlation analysis showed significant correlation coefficients between the studied traits of this study. A positive correlation exists between the leaf calcium percentage and branch diameter; in the other words, any increment in calcium level of leaf increases branch diameter and consequently it leads in the increase of side branches and tree canopy diameter. Keywords: pistachio, adaptation, vegetative rootstock