DETERMINATION OF GROWTH, BEARING, YIELD AND SOME QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS OF PISTACHIO CULTIVARS GRAFTED ON DIFFERENT ROOTSTOCKS UNDER IRRIGATED CONDITIONS

This experimental study was carried out between the years of 1997 and 2008 to determine the best pistachio rootstock-cultivar combinations for irrigated conditions in Şanliurfa in Turkey. Four different Pistacia species (Pistacia khinjuk Stocks, Pistacia atlantica Desf., Pistacia vera L. and Pistacia terebinthus L.) were used as rootstocks and five standard pistachio cultivars (Siirt, Ohadi, Kellekoci, Kerman and Selection 14) were grafted on them. Experimental orchard was established by 4x6 m in spacing in 1997. According to selected criteria, such as, tree vigor, bearing, yield and some quality characteristics, the best highlighted combinations were determined. P. khinjuk × Siirt cultivar and P. atlantica × Siirt combinations gave the best results for irrigated conditions in Şanliurfa.