Effect of rootstock and interstock on characteristic of some commercial pistachio cultivars

Pistachio is not propagated through seed because of the lack of uniformity in its seedlings as well as the production of a significant percentage of male seedlings and long seedling period. Therefore, the commercial method of propagating pistachio is grafting on seed rootstocks and selection of suitable rootstock and scion are critical points in management of pistachio orchards. This research carried out during years 2015 and 2016 in Anar city, Kerman province, Iran, to evaluate the effect of rootstock and interstock on grafting success and growth of some commercial pistachio cultivars (Akbari, Kalehghoochi, Ahmadaghaee and Owhadi). For budding, trees were first head cut in February 2014, 12 trees were head cut from below the scion site (no interstock treatment) and 12 trees were head cut from above the scion site (interstock treatment). In June 2015, budding carried out on four shoots per replicate or trees. The results showed that the percentage of grafting success, leaf number, leaf area, shoot length, shoot diameter, chlorophyll a and b were closely related to scion cultivar. Among the pistachio cultivars, Owhadi had the highest number of leaves, leaf area, shoot length and shoot diameter. Interstock effect was also significant on leaf number, leaf area and shoot length but not significant on shoot diameter and pigment contents. Interstock increased leaf number, leaf area, and shoot length of Kalehgoochi cultivar. In other cultivars, interstock reduced leaf number, leaf area and shoot length. Due to the higher indices in Kalehghoochi cultivar, it can be concluded that the application of the same interstock with scion cultivar is effective in improving scion characteristics.