Impact of altitude on the quantitative characteristics of Pistacia seed from the Iran-o-Turanian ecological forest (Case Study: Baghe-shadi forest, Yazd)

Present research was conducted to compare quantitative characteristics in altitude classes of, Bagh-Shady forest, southern Yazd. Three different altitude classes including class 1 (<2100 m), class 2 (2100-2500 m), and class3 (>2500 m) were determined. In each class, 20 trees were selected (n= 60) and their 1000 kernel weight, decay percentage, length and width of seed were individually measured and compared after analysis of variance. Results showed significant differences between seed characteristics in the separated altitude classes. The mean of 1000 kernel weight followed by length and width of seed was the highest in class 2 with separate amount of 50 gr, 8.4 mm, and 7 mm. the decay percentage had the minimum and maximum amounts in first and second height classes, respectively. Overall results showed that trees of second class have bigger and heavier kernels and, therefore, were the best tree for seedling rehabilitation of the Bagh-shady forst.