Assessment of Phenotypic Diversity in Pistacia atlantica Populations in Kerman Province for Establishing Arid Zone Seed Orchards

Document Type : Scientific Paper

Authors

Assistant Professor, Forest and Rangeland Research Department, Kerman Province Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, Kerman, Iran.

10.29252/aridbiom.2026.4148

Abstract

Pistacia atlantica, a key species in Iran's arid regions, plays a crucial role in soil conservation and combating desertification, necessitating the production of seedlings with high genetic quality. Aimed at establishing a P. atlantica seed orchard, this study was designed to evaluate seeds and seedlings derived from 5 to 11 selected genotypes across six natural provenances in Kerman Province, including Mikh Sefid (Sirjan), Gushk (Baft), Baneh-Abad (Gugher), Seh-Chah Forest (Dehsard), Mohammad-Abad (Maskun), and Dehbakri (Bam). Seed morphological traits and seedling vegetative characteristics—specifically height, root collar diameter (RCD), germination percentage, and survival rate—were assessed over a two-year period. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) confirmed significant differences (p < 0.01) across all morphological traits (e.g., 1000-seed weight and percentage of empty seeds) and seedling performance metrics. Seeds from Mohammad-Abad exhibited the greatest size and weight. Meanwhile, the Dehbakri provenance recorded the highest survival rate, and Seh-Chah produced the tallest seedlings consistently over the two years. Growth pattern analysis indicated that seedlings from Seh-Chah were the tallest, whereas those from Mikh Sefid were the shortest. This extensive genetic diversity and variation in performance provide a robust framework for identifying and selecting superior genotypes characterized by high adaptability and desirable economic traits. Accordingly, the populations from Mohammadabad, Seh-Chah, and Baneh-Abad are recommended for afforestation and restoration of arid regions due to their high-quality seed and seedling production. Conversely, the Dehbakri and Mikh-Sefid populations are preferred for soil conservation and desertification control under severe environmental stress conditions, owing to their superior physiological resistance.

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References

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Journal of Arid Biome
Volume 15, Issue 2
September 2025
Pages 23-35

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