Seedling growth and chemical composition of two pistachio cultivars as affected by boron and nitrogen application

The combined effects of four nitrogen (N) levels (0, 50, 100, and 150 μg/g soil) and six boron (B) rates (0, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 μg/g soil) on the growth and chemical composition of Kale‐ghoochi, a cultivar of pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) semi‐tolerant to B toxicity, and Badami, a cultivar very sensitive to B toxicity, were studied in a calcareous soil under greenhouse conditions. The application of 20 μg/g B has beneficial effects on leaf growth of the Kale‐ghoochi cultivar. The toxic effect of B application greater than 40 μg/g on pistachio growth was alleviated by application of 50 and 100 μg N/g for Kale‐ghoochi and Badami cultivars, respectively. The rate of B accumulation in pistachio shoots was reduced about 39 % by N additions of 50 to 150 μg/g for Badami, and 24, 52, and 69% with N rates of 50, 100, and 150 μg/g for Kale‐ghoochi, respectively. Therefore, when pistachio is grown in B‐enriched soils and/or is irrigated with water of relatively high B content, it is recommended that the plants be supplied with adequate N.