Pistachio | Subtropical and Temperate Fruit Production (HOR-MA201) - Unit 4 Notes - Chapter 17

Subtropical and Temperate Fruit Production

HORMA 201 - M.Sc. (Ag.) Horticulture

UNIT IV: Nuts- Walnut, Almond, Pistachio, Pecan

Table of Contents Commercial varieties of regional, national and international importance, Ecophysiological requirements, recent trends in propagation, rootstock influence, planting systems, cropping systems, root zone and canopy management, nutrient management, water management, fertigation, bioregulation, abiotic factors limiting fruit production, physiology of flowering, fruit set and development, abiotic factors limiting production, physiological disorders-causes and remedies, quality improvement by management practices; maturity indices, harvesting, grading, packing, precooling, storage, transportation and ripening techniques; industrial and export potential, Agri Export Zones(AEZ) and industrial support.

Chapter 17 -

🌰 PISTACHIO (Pistacia vera L.)

Family: Anacardiaceae
Chromosome number: 2n = 30
Origin: Central Asia and the Middle East (Iran, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan)
Major producers: Iran, USA (California), Turkey, Syria, Italy
In India: Experimental cultivation in Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, parts of Rajasthan and dry temperate zones

🔹 1. Commercial Varieties of Regional, National & International Importance

Region	Popular Varieties
USA	Kerman (♀), Peters (♂) – most dominant
Iran	Ahmad Aghaei, Fandoghi, Kaleh Ghouchi
Turkey	Uzun, Kirmizi
Italy	Napoletana, Bronte
India (Trial)	Kerman, Sirora, Badami, Mumtaz

• Kerman is most widely planted cultivar; needs a male pollinizer like Peters (♂)
  

🔹 2. Ecophysiological Requirements

• Climate: Hot dry summers and cool winters (ideal for dry temperate zones)

• Chilling requirement: 800–1,500 hours below 7°C

• Temperature: Very tolerant to heat (up to 45–48°C); dormant trees tolerate –10°C to –20°C

• Soil: Deep, well-drained loams or sandy soils; saline and drought tolerant

• Altitude: 900–1,500 m

🔹 3. Recent Trends in Propagation

• Seed propagation used for rootstock development

• Budding (T-budding) or chip budding on 1–2 year old seedling rootstocks

• Micropropagation under research

• Clonal rootstocks: UCB-1 (hybrid of P. atlantica × P. integerrima) – uniform growth, salt and root-rot resistant

🔹 4. Rootstock Influence

Rootstock	Traits
P. atlantica	Drought tolerant, deep roots
P. integerrima	Vigorous, salt tolerant
P. terebinthus	Cold hardy
UCB-1 (Hybrid)	Preferred in California – fast growing, uniform

🔹 5. Planting Systems

• Spacing: 6 × 6 m to 7 × 7 m (in low density)

• Male : Female Ratio: 1 male for every 8–10 female trees

• Training: Modified central leader system

• Pollination: Wind pollinated → proper positioning of male trees critical

🔹 6. Cropping Systems

• Mono-cropping is practiced

• Early years: legumes, fodder crops may be intercropped

• Alternate bearing is a problem – managed with pruning and nutrient control

🔹 7. Root Zone & Canopy Management

• Annual light pruning to manage alternate bearing

• Remove dead and non-productive branches

• Training begins from first year for strong scaffold development

🔹 8. Nutrient Management

• FYM: 20–30 kg/tree/year

• NPK schedule (per mature tree/year):

• N: 500–600 g

• P₂O₅: 200–250 g

• K₂O: 300–400 g

• Micronutrients: Zinc, Boron, Iron

• Apply nutrients in split doses: pre-flowering and fruit development stages

🔹 9. Water Management

• Highly drought tolerant

• Critical stages:

• Bud break

• Fruit set and nut filling

• Irrigation:

• Deep and infrequent irrigation in well-drained soils

• Drip irrigation ideal in sandy soils

🔹 10. Fertigation

• Used in high-tech orchards in Iran and USA

• Soluble NPK and micronutrients through drip

• Increases yield and water-use efficiency

🔹 11. Bioregulation

Bioregulator	Purpose
GA₃	Vegetative growth, reduces biennial bearing
NAA	Fruit retention
Boron	Enhances pollination & nut set

• Application before flowering and nut set beneficial
  
  

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🔹 12. Abiotic Factors Limiting Fruit Production

• Spring frost: Kills flower buds
  

• High humidity: Leads to fungal infections (Alternaria)
  

• Salinity: Tolerated to some extent
  

• Drought: Can reduce nut size but tree survives
  

🔹 13. Physiology of Flowering, Fruit Set & Development

• Dioecious species: Male and female flowers on separate plants
  

• Anemophilous (wind pollinated)
  

• Flowering: Feb–Mar (in temperate zones)
  

• Fruit: Drupe; edible part = seed (kernel)
  

• Shell splitting indicates nut maturity
  

🔹 14. Physiological Disorders – Causes & Remedies

Disorder	Cause	Remedy
Blank nuts	Poor pollination	Ensure male trees, avoid drought
Early shell splitting	Water stress	Regular irrigation
Alternate bearing	Nutrient imbalance, overloading	Pruning, nutrient management

🔹 15. Quality Improvement by Management Practices

• Maintain pollinizer ratio and orientation
  

• Use high-quality rootstocks like UCB-1
  

• Integrated nutrient and water management
  

• Foliar sprays of zinc and boron
  

• Pest and disease monitoring

🔹 16. Maturity Indices

• Hull splits and loosens
  

• Shell splits naturally
  

• Kernel hardens, turns greenish
  

• Time: ~180–200 days from flowering

🔹 17. Harvesting, Grading, Packing

• Manual/Mechanical shaking
  

• Dehulling, sun drying to <6% moisture
  

• Grading:
  

• Based on nut size, shell type, kernel weight
  

• Packing:
  

• In nitrogen-flushed poly bags, jute or plastic containers
  

🔹 18. Precooling, Storage & Transportation

• Store at 0 to 4°C, RH: 50–60%
  

• Keep dry to avoid aflatoxin contamination
  

• Vacuum packing or nitrogen flush extends shelf life

🔹 19. Ripening Techniques

• Pistachio ripens naturally on tree
  

• No artificial ripening needed
  

• Delayed harvest increases shell splitting but may risk quality
  

🔹 20. Industrial & Export Potential

• Uses:
  

• Direct consumption, confectionery, ice cream, bakery
  

• Pistachio butter, oil, pastes
  

• By-products:
  

• Shells used as biofuel, compost
  

• Export:
  

• High demand in Europe, Gulf, East Asia
  

• Iran and USA dominate world exports

🔹 21. Agri Export Zones (AEZ) & Industrial Support

• No exclusive AEZ for pistachio in India yet
  

• Pilot projects in J&K and Rajasthan
  

• Support from:
  

• APEDA
  

• NHB
  

• MIDH (Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture)
  

• Need for:
  

• R&D
  

• Nursery development
  

• Cold chain and export-oriented units

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