Seed production potential of pistachio forests of Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari province and its economical effects on dwellers welfare

Identification and introduction of forests production potential, particularly in respect to their by- products, can conserve and rehabilitate the forest resources. Among the trees and shrubs of Zagros region of Iran, Pistacia atlantica Desf. subsp. mutica (F.&M.) Rech. F. is highly important for its special characteristics, particulary gum and seed production. Gum and seed are exploited and processed artfully in some parts of Zagros region. Special characteristic of this species in seed production which is concerned by some food industries such as pickle, oil and dessert, could be concerned as substitution  for gum exploitation. Information about amount of local seed production and the forest potential can provide data for the local authorities to make clear and basic programme. For this reason, seed production at different age classes was studied. The trial was conducted in Poshtkooh-Falard forests of Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari province. After investigation on quantitative and qualititative characteristics of the Pistachio trees such as fruit production and age, 10 femal trees at different diameter classes were selected. Seeds were collected separately from each tree and total seed weight of each tree and weight of 100 seeds was measured. Furthermore, correlation between seed amount and breast height diameter dbh and other parameters was determined. The results showed that increase in stem diameter increased the total and the mature seeds, but the greatest seed mature/ total ratio was found at 15 and 20 cm dbh classes. The trees of 20 and 25 cm dbh classes produced the highest amount of mature seeds, based on total number of pistachio trees at the province. Because most of pistachio trees of the province are at diameter classes of 15 to 25 cm, their seed production and consequently the dwellers income will be highly remarkable.