Vol. 80 No: 2

Title:
Gibberellic acid and benzyladenine reduce hull-splitting and aflatoxin levels in pistachio kernels

Authors:
M. RAHEMI and Z. PAKKISH

pp: 229-232

Abstract:
The effects of gibberellic acid and a cytokinin on hull-splitting and aflatoxin levels in pistachio (Pistacia vera, L. cv. ´Owhadi`) were studied in a commercial orchard over 2 years. Gibberellin (GA₃) at 25, 50 and 100 mg l^-1 and benzyladenine (BA) at 50 and 100 mg l^-1 reduced hull-splitting and infection by Aspergillus spp. with a strong correlation between splitting and infection (R2 = 0.88). GA3 and BA at high concentrations reduced hull-splitting to 0.6% and 0.3%, respectively. Kernels from trees treated with GA3 and BA at 50 or 100 mg l^-1 had no aflatoxins compared with 4.7 ng g^-1 in non-treated trees. BA also increased crude fat and chlorophyll levels in the kernels of pistachio fruit. Applications of GA₃ or BA are recommended for commercial pistachio production.

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