Effects of Foliar Application of Potassium and Zinc on Pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) Fruit Yield

Abstract

<span>The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of foliar applications of potassium and zinc on the fruit yield and quality as well as leaf nutrient concentrations of pistachio cv. ‘Chrokeh'. The experiment was conducted based on a completely randomized block design with nine treatments and three replications per treatment. Treatments were three levels of K₂SO₄ (0, 1 and 2%) and three levels of ZnSO₄ (0, 0.5 and 1%). The nutrition solutions were sprayed on trees at two times (bud swell stage and green tip stage) in 2017–2018. Based on the obtained results, nutrient treatments especially 1% K₂SO₄+1% ZnSO₄ and 2% K₂SO₄+1% ZnSO₄ caused a significant increase in chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll and carotenoid contents. Application of K₂SO₄ and ZnSO₄ significantly affected concentrations of P, K, Mg, Zn, Mn and Fe in the leaves of ‘Chrokeh' pistachio, whereas nutrient treatments had no significant effect on leaf concentration of N. Nutrient treatments especially 2% K₂SO₄+1% ZnSO₄ led to significant increases in the fresh (up to 65%) and dry (up to 67%) yield when compared with the control trees. Moreover, nutrient applications had a significant effect on the percentage of splitting (an 11 % increase) and blankness (a 26% decrease). It can be concluded that foliar application of K and Zn fertilizers is necessary for obtaining better fruit yield and quality in pistachio.</span>