The Effects of Fertilization on the Yield and Quality of Pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) in Dry Conditions

Abstract

Plants need nutrients to growth. They take most of their nutrients from the soil by their roots. Fertilization should be done if are insufficient nutrients in the soil for the plant to grow. Nutrients that arc missing in soil should be given to soil in order to obtain high quality products in agricultural production. Water needs provided for the plant nutrients to be effective. In some regions of our country, agricultural production is continued without irrigation and fertilization. Water needed in agricultural production is provided from rain water in semi-arid climate conditions. Pistachio, olives and grapes are important high economic value varieties growing under dry conditions in Southeastern Anatolia. especially in Sanliurfa province. Pistachio producers generally produce without irrigation and fertilization in our city. Thus, yield loss ocurs. In the present research, a sample of pistachio garden was selected during the two water years (2014-2015). Fertilization application has been apply by using rainfall and consideration the trees ages. Average 1.25 kg/tree DAP (di ammonium phosphate), 40 kg/tree manure were applied in Autumn and 1.50 kg/tree Ammonium Sulfate fertilizer was applied in Spring before precipitation. As a result of two years' work: average 12.4 kg fruit was taken from the traditional application and 22.05 kg fruit was taken for full fertilization applied. In pomological measurements, 100 grain weight (g) and cracking rates (%) were determined as 95.2 g, 48.6% and 140.2 g, 80.65% according to the results of conventional and full fertilization, respectively. According to the results of the obtained shoot lengths, it was determined as 15.12 cm in traditional applications and 29.7 cm in full fertilization applications. In addition to trees yield increases besides trees growth and quality characteristics also differences. As a result of this study, farmers who produce pistachio fruits taking advantage of autumn and spring rainfall, could obtain more pistachio fruits by setting fertilization programs in dry conditions in semi-arid climates..