Evaluation of Seed Physical Traits in Relation with Drought Tolerance of Four Pistachio Genotypes at Seedling Growth Stage

To investigate seed physical traits and its relation with drought tolerance of several pistachio genotypes at seedling growth stage, an experiment was achieved based on completely randomized design (CRD) as factorial with two factors of drought stress at four levels (0, -0.5, -1 and -2 Mpa) and genotypes at four levels (Abareqi, Badami-Riz-zarand, Qazvini, and Sarakhs). After seeds collection, seed weight, kernel weight and seed length and diameter were measured. Results showed some differences in seeds dimension between the genotypes since Abareqi and Badami-Riz-Zarand had the highest Weight while sarakhs had the lowest. Correlation coefficients between seed physical traits and growth parameters (height, stem diameter, leaf number, dry weight, …) showed a high correlation between seed weigh and leaf number in Abareqi genotype (R2= 0.93) and between kernel weight and shoot dry weight in Badami-Rize-zarand (R2 = 0.95). There was no significant correlation between seed physical traits and growth parameters in sarakhs genotype. The results indicated that difference in genotypes growth at seedling stage could be due to seeds size since Abareqi and Badami-Riz-zarand with bigger seed size had more growth in comparison with Sarakhs. The results showed that drought stress caused a reduced seedlings dry weight since at drought level of -2 Mpa. Sarakhs genotype had the most growth reduction of 68% and Badami-Rize-zarand had the lowest growth reduction of 54% in comparison with control. Since Badami-Rize-zarand obtained the highest dry weight and growth parameters at drought level of -2 Mpa., It is introduced as the most drought tolerant genotype.