Salt resistance of 'Uzun' and 'Siirt' pistachio seedlings

Pistachio is an important fruit species of the southeast Anatolian Region of Turkey, and it has a potential for arid and semi-arid areas. It is known that pistachio trees are tolerant to salinity. Pistachio trees can be grown in high saline soils which are not suitable for growing of other plant species. The salinity has negative effects on growth, photosynthesis and morphological changes of the leaves. Irrigation has been started with Southeast Anatolian Project, and salinity has appeared in the lower part of the Harran Plain in this region. Pistachio trees have taken part among the saline resistant plants. Therefore, it is thought that pistachio may be produced at the saline areas. Aim of this study is determination of salt resistance of 'Uzun' and 'Siirt' pistachio seedlings used as Pistacia vera rootstocks in Turkey. Vegetative features and physiological properties of seedlings were determined in the study. For this purpose, 0, 800, 1600, 2400 and 3200 mg NaCl kg^-1 soil was applied to the soil when the seedlings of 'Uzun' and 'Siirt' cultivars reached to 6-leaf. According to the results obtained from this study, it is determined that seedlings of 'Siirt' cultivar were more resistant than 'Uzun'.