Effect of exogenous application of free polyamines on physiological disorders and yield of 'Kaleh-Ghoochi' pistachio shoots (Pistacia vera L.)

Pistachio trees exhibit some physiological disorders such as abscission of inflorescence buds, fruit abscission, the production of blank, non-split, early-split and deformed nuts. Since the occurrence of these disorders is closely related to the yield, the effect of free polyamine treatments on these disorders and the yield was investigated in two consecutive years (on and off years). Free polyamine treatments were applied one week before and also two weeks after full bloom. Results showed that Spermine (Spm), unlike Putrescine (Put), decreased the physiological disorders of pistachio and also increased the yield. Free polyamine treatments did not affect the percentage of early-split nuts. Spermidine (Spd) decreased the percentage of both fruit abscission and deformed nuts but did not affect the yield. In both the on and off years the effect of Spm and Spd was greatly dependent on both the time of application and the concentrations used. Results of free polyamine analysis showed that exogenous application of these compounds, especially two weeks after full bloom, increased the free polyamine contents of shoots in both on and off years confirming the absorption of free polyamines via spray application in pistachio crop. Exogenous application of Spm two weeks after full bloom decreased the abscission of inflorescence buds in on year supporting the idea that free polyamines could trigger the abscission process of inflorescence buds. Since Spm decreased the percentage of blank, non-split and deformed nuts, it seems that Spm dominantly plays a key role in the growth and development of pistachio nuts. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.