Effects of Supplementary Pollination on Qualitative and Quantitative Traits of Pistachio in Qazvin Region

Abstract

In this study the artificial pollination of pistachio was investigated. Two types of pollen of local selective genotypes (Q1 and Q2) which were different pollinizers were used. The experiment had six treatments. Qazvini and Ohadi cultivars were pollinated with supplementary pollinations as treatment which was covered with cotton bag, natural pollination as a control which was not covered and two types of pollen of local selective genotypes (Q1 and Q2) which were prepared. Results showed that supplementary pollination had positive effects on fruit number per cluster and reduction of blank percentage. Supplementary pollination not only increased quantitative traits (Number of nut per cluster, Kernel dry weight and yield), but also it improved some qualitative traits such as unsplit nut percentage and reduced blank nut percentage in Qazvini and Ohady cultivars.