The Effect of Different Concentrations of Sodium Bicarbonate in Irrigation Water on Some Vegetative and Physiological Parameters of Pistachio Seedlings cv. Badami-Riz-e-Zarand

In order to evaluate response the pistachio seedlings (Pistacia vera L. cv. Badami-Riz-eZarand) to different concentrations of sodium bicarbonate in irrigation water, an experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with sodium bicarboate in there levels (0, 15 and 30 mM) and 3 replicates under greenhouse conditions. Based on the results, plant height, stem and leaf fresh weight at 15 mM sodium bicarbonate and at level of 30 mM, dry weight of leaves, stems and roots, leaves and green leaves area significantly decreased compared with control. The amount of leaf damage and loss of leaves significantly increased at 30 mM sodium bicarbonate in irrigation water. Alkalinity stress decreased the concentration of chlorophyll a, b, total chlorophyll and carotenoids as well as leaf relative water content (RWC). The results showed that with increasing levels of bicarbonate and water use efficiency (WUE) increased first and with increasing levels of sodium bicarbonate decreased, finally. Overall, the results of this experiment showed that Badami-Riz-e-Zarand rootstock is sensitive to 30 mM and higher concentrations of sodium bicarbonate in irrigation water.