The study of wild pistachio growth sites in south Khorasan province

Wild pistachio is one of the drought resistant species that grows in arid and semi- arid hilly areas. In addition to its industrial and feed uses, the plant species can affect biodiversity, especially in wildlife. The study of wild pistachio growth sites can help us to reduce the damage of national capital. This investigation was conducted to study wild pistachio growth sites in south Khorasan province. The main locations where have wild pistachio are: Margh (suburb of Darmian), Chenesht (suburb of Sarbishah), Chahkand (suburb of Birjand), Shah Soleiman-e- Ali (suburb of Khoosf) and Afzal Abad (suburb of Nehbandan). In these locations, soil pH and texture were often alkaline and sandy- loam. The soil contained less sufficient nitrogen and phosphor. The observed wild pistachio trees in Margh and Chenesht belong to Pistacia atlantica and P. khinjuk, but there was any one species (P. atlantica) in other places. Afzal Abad and Margh had the highest number of wild pistachio trees. Young wild pistachio trees were not observed there, probably due to recent droughts. It is recommended planting and irrigating of wild pistachio seedlings in these two areas, for keeping and increasing of vegetation. Respect to exist seedling in Chahkand and Chenesht it can be concluded that wild pistachio vegetation can be developed in these two areas. As a result of spreading Recurvaria pistaciicola in some areas (especially, in Afzal Abad) it is necessary to study different control methods. In the case of economical revenue from these vegetations, it is recommended to study about resin extraction (especially, in Afzal Abad) and grafting of pistachio on wild pistachio.