Nut Quality of ‘Kirmizi’, ‘Siirt’ and ‘Ohadi’ Pistachio Cultivars as Affected by Different Pollinators

Abstract

This study was conducted in Ceylanpinar State Farm in Sanliurfa province of Turkey. The aim of the study was to determine influence of pollens of 3 different pollinators on the nut quality of ‘Kirmizi’, 4 different pollinators on ‘Siirt’ and 2 different pollinators on ‘Ohadi’ cultivars. Three different male types (Male 1, 16 and 23) synchronized to ‘Kirmizi’, 4 different male types (Male 7, 12, 13 and 25) synchronized to ‘Siirt’ and 2 male types (Male 18 and 22) synchronized to ‘Ohadi’ cultivars were used as pollinators and open pollination was used as control. Pomological characteristics were compared to determine the nut quality with respect to the used pollinators on the nuts. 100 nuts weight, split nut ratio, kernel ratio, blank nut ratio, kernel oil and protein content were determined as quality characteristics. According to the average results of 3 consecutive years; 100 nuts weight ranged from 74.00 to 79.40 g for ‘Kirmizi’, 84.48 to 96.34 g for ‘Siirt’ and 75.20 to 76.65 g for ‘Ohadi’; split nut ratio ranged between 25.31 and 36.92% for ‘Kirmizi’, 17.53 to 35.01% for ‘Siirt’ and 3.90 to 9.71% for ‘Ohadi’; kernel ratio ranged from 47.12 to 49.38% for ‘Kirmizi’, 43.24 to 45.10% for ‘Siirt’ and 43.85 to 46.07% for ‘Ohadi’. Blank nut ratio ranged between 29.68 and 37.02% for ‘Kirmizi’, 27.82 to 38.90% for ‘Siirt’ and 11.85 to 33.50% for ‘Ohadi’. Kernel oil content ranged from 39.73 to 43.51% for ‘Kirmizi’, 38.61 to 44.16% for ‘Siirt’ and 45.52 to 48.00% for ‘Ohadi’. Protein content ranged from 18.23 to 19.09% for ‘Kirmizi’, 17.51 to 18.08% for ‘Siirt’ and 18.38 to 20.39% for ‘Ohadi’ with respect to pollinators. Results demonstrated clearly that pollinators affect nut quality in pistachio.