Salt Effects on Growth and Ion Uptake of Pistachio Rootstock Seedlings

Abstract

The degree of salt resistance of Pistacia spp. grown in the western United States is not adequately known. This study evaluated seedling growth and ion uptake characteristics of two Pistacia spp. and one hybrid in outdoor lysimeters for two seasons. After 12 weeks, seedling stem elongation of P. atlantica Desf., P. terebinthus L. (three selections), and P. integerrima Stewart × atlantica (referred to as Gold II) was reduced by an average of 33% at soil solution salinity of 12.6 dS·m -1 (or 8.0 dS·m -1 in the saturation extract). Gold II was the most vigorous genotype and produced the greatest biomass in control and high-salt solutions. Decreases in root and stem growth (average of all seedlings combined) occurred at soil solution salinity of 13.8 dS·m -1 (or 8.7 dS·m -1 in the saturation extract). Increasing salinity resulted in a higher root to stem ratio, which was most pronounced in P. terebinthus. Comparatively small but significant differences in leaf Na and Cl concentrations between species and selections occurred. All species limited Na transport to leaf tissue up to 125 meq Na/liter in soil solution, storing the greatest amount in roots. Chloride concentrations on a dry-weight basis were substantially higher in leaves than in roots. Increasing salinity did not affect leaf K and Mg concentrations, whereas Ca was significantly reduced. Leaf Na and Cl concentrations of P. atlantica and P. terebinthus had significant correlation with Na and Cl concentrations in soil solutions (r = + 0.83 to + 0.94).