An investigation on the effect of shape and size of pits on early establishment of wild pistachio (Pistacia vera L) seedlings in Khajeh Kalat woodland

The aim of this study was to find the most efficient methods for restoring wild pistachio forests through direct seeding and by seedling planting in the woodlands of Khajeh Kalat in Khorasan Razavi. Two planting methods and two pit shapes and four pit sizes were tested. Basin pit sizes were (control, 20, 50, and 100 cm but curve shaped pits were at (control, planting seedlings at ground level), 10×20, 25×50, and 50×100 cm diameter. A total of 8 replicates were used. Experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design under field conditions. The results showed higher seedling establishment for seedling planting than seed cultivation. The highest survival , height of seedlings,moisture and the lowest temperature, were in Basins and curves shaped pits with dimensions of 50 and 100. Therefore, it can be concluded that larger water harvesting methods are useful for seedling establishment, possibly because of their effects in rainwater accumulation reduce competition by the neighboring plants.