Effect of sodium chloride on seedling growth of two major varieties of Iranian pistachio(Pistachia vera L.)

SummaryIt is claimed by some growers that sodium chloride promotes the growth of pistachio trees. To test this hypothesis, a glasshouse soil culture experiment was set up, using two varieties of Iranian pistachio (Pistachia vera L.), Badami and Fandoghi, as test crops. The treatments consisted of irrigation with solutions containing different levels of sodium chloride. It was concluded that salt adversely affected the aerial and root growth of both varieties but that the effect was more severe in Fandoghi. Results obtained by the growers were due to impurities in the salt which they used.