Response of Pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) Seedling Rootstocks to Salicylic Acid Foliar Application under Water Stress

This research was conducted to determine the effect of salicylic acid on the drought tolerance of three pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) rootstocks. The treatments were included three irrigation levels (Control: 100 % ETc, medium stress: 65% ETc, and severe stress: 30% ETc), three pistachio rootstocks, and three salicylic acid concentrations (0, 1, and 3 mM). The salicylic acid solution was once applied as a foliar spray, starting water stress, and irrigation treatments continued for 75 days. Results showed that P. vera ‘Badami Zarand’ was less affected by water stress treatments than the other seedling rootstocks. Among the rootstocks studied, the highest photosynthesis rate (6.55 µmol CO2 m-2 s-1) was obtained in P. vera ‘Badami Zarand’ under severe water stress (30 % ETc) and 1 mM salicylic acid application. The lowest photosynthesis rate (2.75 µmol CO2 m-2 s-1) was observed in P. vera ‘Sarakhs’ under severe water stress (30 % ETc) and 3 mM salicylic acid treatment. In addition, the highest relative water content (66.16%) and the lowest ion leakage (33.29%) were obtained in ‘Badami Zarand.’ The 1 mM salicylic acid application effectively reduced the negative effects of water stress. According to the results, P. vera ‘Badami Zarand’ showed a better response to salicylic acid under stress conditions, and the highest photosynthesis, relative leaf water content, dry weight of organs (leaves, shoots, roots), and the lowest ion leakage under drought stress belonged to this rootstock.