Male pistachio seedlings exhibit more efficient protective mechanisms than females under salinity stress

•In pistachio seedlings, tolerance to salinity stress is affected by sexuality.•In 120 mM salinity level, Na concentration in the root, Ca concentration in the shoot and carotenoide in the leaves of male pistachio seedlings increased more than the female ones.•Male pistachio seedlings, in comparison with the female seedlings, exhibited better the tolerance to salinity.

Salinity is one of the most important environmental stresses which affect most growth and physiological aspects of pistachio trees. In the present study, the effects of salinity and sexuality on physiological parameters and macro-nutrient concentration of shoot and root of pistachio (Pistacia vera cv. 'Badami-Riz-e-Zarand') were evaluated. The salinity levels were 0, 60, and 120 mM, and the seedlings were male and female. The results revealed that when the salinity level was 120 mM, Na concentration in the root, Ca concentration in the root and carotenoide in the leaves of male seedlings increased more than the female ones. The rate of the increase in Na concentration in the root, Ca concentration in the root and carotenoide in the leaves of male seedlings compared to control was 40.91%, 37.50% and 37% respectively while there were 21.78%, 21% and 28.5% in female seedlings. Furthermore, the male seedlings had higher proline in the leaf compared to the female seedlings. Although K concentration in the shoot was greater in the male seedlings than in the female, salinity reduced it in the shoot and the root. We found that male seedlings, in comparison with the female seedlings, exhibit better resistance to salinity.

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