Effects of Copper and Salinity on Some Physiological and Anatomical Indices of Two Pistachio Cultivars under Greenhouse Conditions

A greenhouse experiment was conducted to study the effects of soil copper (Cu) and salinity application on photosynthesis parameters, enzyme activity and anatomical structure of two pistachio cultivars. A factorial greenhouse experiment was carried out as completely randomized design with three replications. Treatments consisted of four Cu levels (0, 2.5, 5, and 7.5 mg Kg-1soil as CuSO4.2H2O), five salinity levels (0, 800, 1600, 2400, and 3200 mg NaCl Kg-1 soil) and two pistachio cultivars (Badami-e-Zarand and Ghazvini). Results showed that application of 3200 mg NaCl Kg-1 soil, decreased transpiration rate and stomatal conductance by 69 and 16% respectively, whereas had no significant effect on photosynthesis rate. Also application of 5 mg Cu Kg-1 soil, caused maximum photosynthesis rate. Transpiration rate and stomatal conductance of Badami-e-Zarand was significantly higher than Ghazvini, but reverse trend was seen for photosynthesis rate. The highest salinity level (3200 mg NaCl Kg-1 soil), significantly increased SOD activity. Furthermore, all Cu levels increased SOD activity. As salinity increased, thickness of parenchyma layer and phloem rings, and number of resin channels of stem and root decreased and increased pulp thickness. Application of Cu in saline conditions, decreased thickness of xylem vessels and increased that of phloem rings and number of resin channels in stem.