Effect of Dormex® Application on Flowering Time and Vegetative and Reproductive Characteristics of Akbari Pistachio Cultivar

In recent years, global warming and unusually warm winters have caused many problems for pistachio production in Iran. The effects of the Dormex® application were studied in a randomized complete block design with three treatments and three replications on the Akbari commercial pistachio cultivar in Kerman province. Treatments included Dormex® 4%, Volk oil 4%, and control, all applied in mid-February. Flowering time, gum secretion, current branch length, and qualitative and quantitative yield characteristics were measured. Results showed that Volk oil and Dormex® spring treatments caused early flowering in the Akbari cultivar. The Dormex® 4% treatment significantly prolonged flowering time (8 days earlier than Volk oil 4%, and 12 days earlier than the control). Based on the results, Volk oil treatment increased gum secretion from buds and perennial shoots compared to the Dormex® treatment and control. The results of yield indices showed that the weight of clusters in the Dormex® 4% treatment was 2.3 times higher than the control and about 21% more than the Volk oil 4% treatment, showing a significant difference with the control. Dormex® and Volk oil treatments increased split nut percentage by 66 % and 88%, respectively, but there was no significant difference between them. Based on the results, the blank nut percentage in the Dormex® 4% treatment significantly increased compared to the control and Volk oil treatment by 33% and 41%, respectively. The length of current season growth in the Dormex® 4% treatment significantly increased by 68% compared to the control. The Volk oil 4% treatment had no significant effect on the length of current season growth compared to the control.