Effect of calcium-enriched zeolite on some physiological characteristics of pistachio seedlings under salinity stress

Background and objectives: Pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) is one of the most important horticultural products and of particular economic importance. Most of pistachio orchards are irrigated with saline and low quality water which reduced production in recent years especially in the gardens of Kerman pistachio in recent years. Salinity stress is one of the important factors reducing the land ability in agricultural production and impairing the plant physiological processes and reduced growth and yield eventually. Although research on the effect of natural zeolite on some on some plant characteristics, but information about the effect of enriched zeolite as a slow release fertilizer or soil conditioner on pistachio plant under saline conditions, there are no resources. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of calcium enriched zeolite on some physiological characteristics of pistachio seedlings under salinity stress.
Materials and methods: In order to investigate the response of pistachio seedlings to salinity and zeolite levels, a factorial experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design in perlite medium with three replications in the greenhouse of agriculture college, Vali-e-Asr University of Rafsangan. Treatments consisted of three levels of zeolite enriched by calcium (0, 10 and 20 % W) and four levels of NaCl (0, 75, 150 and 225 mM). 5 germinated seeds were planted in each pot at a depth of 3 cm. Hoagland solution was used for pots irrigation. Pots leaching was carried out with distilled water in the ninth week after planting and according to plan, treatments of sodium chloride (0, 75, 150 and 225 mM) was prepared as a solution added to pots in two phases and once a week. fluorescence Chlorophyll index (Fv/Fm) at 3 times (weeks twelfth, nineteenth and twenty-fourth after planting), concentration of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, carotenoids, proline and protein were measured.
Results: The results showed that, with increasing salinity the concentration of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll decreased significantly. Application of 10 % W zeolite increased chlorophyll b by 68 percent. Salinity also decreased the fluorescence chlorophyll index and protein, so that with increasing salinity to 225 mM, fluorescence Chlorophyll index by 8 percent and protein by 37 percent decreased compared to control. Salinity increased leaf proline. Application of zeolite enriched by calcium increased mentioned parameters, so that with increasing 10 % W zeolite enriched by calcium to medium, the concentration of proline and protein, increased by 100 and 19.5 percent respectively.
Conclusion: In total it is concluded that the calcium-enriched zeolite (10 % W), increased the ability of pistachio seedlings in resistance to salinity stress.