Boron affects the yield and quality of nonirrigated pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) trees

Authors : İzzet AÇAR, İlhan DORAN, Nevzat ASLAN, Nilgün KALKANCI

Pages : 664-670

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Publication Date : 2016-10-01

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :In Turkey, more than 95% of the pistachio insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Pistacia vera L.); orchards are not irrigated. Therefore, a 4-year field trial was conducted to determine the effect of Tarımbor fertiliser insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(containing 18.5% boron [B]); on the yield, quality, and B content of two pistachio cultivars insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(`Uzun` and `Siirt`); planted under nonirrigated conditions. Tarımbor was applied to the pistachio trees as a soil application insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(0, 200, 400, and 600 g/tree); and a foliar spray insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(0%, 0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.3% w/v, using a tractor-mounted sprayer at the `early bud break` stage and the `fully leafed out` stage);. Both the soil and foliar applications of Tarımbor had a significant effect on the pistachio yield, quality, and B content compared with the control. However, the foliar application resulted in greater improvements in the B content of leaves in both cultivars and the split nut ratio and kernel ratio in `Uzun`. The greatest increases in yield were observed for the 0.3% foliar application for `Uzun` insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(30%); and the 200 g/tree soil application for `Siirt` insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(59%);. In terms of quality, the application of Tarımbor appeared to have a greater effect on `Uzun` than on `Siirt`. No vegetative symptoms of B toxicity were observed in either cultivar when high concentrations of B were applied. Thus, Tarımbor could be used effectively as a foliar spray to enhance the B levels in the leaves of pistachio trees grown under nonirrigated conditions.
Keywords : Boron, Tarımbor, pistachio, yield, quality