Pistachio cultivation

Pistachio crops have expanded in recent years thanks to their high demand and profitability for farmers. Its production has become a global industry, with a wide range of varieties and cultivation techniques. 

As management and fertilization are crucial aspects for the success of pistachio cultivation, in this post we will delve into the different aspects to consider for achieving a successful production.

Choosing the right pistachio variety is essential, as each type of soil and climate is best suited to a specific variety. It is advisable for farmers to be well informed before choosing which type of pistachio to grow in order to ensure that the variety chosen fits well to the conditions of their growing area.

Factors to consider:

Soil: Pistachio is a plant that prefers relatively deep and well-drained clay soils, with a pH of 7 and 8.

Temperature: This crop needs quite cold winters and long, dry and warm summers, with a temperature of 25-35ºC, in the growing area. 

Irrigation: The crop should be irrigate as often as necessary to keep the soil moist, but avoiding waterlogging, as this can affect the growth of the tree.

The irrigation timing is also important, as during the active growth stage of the pistachio tree, regular irrigation is necessary to ensure healthy growth. However, during the fruit ripening stage, the frequency of irrigation should be reduced to prevent pistachios from opening prematurely.

Nutritional needs

In order to achieve healthy and profitable fruit production, it is very important to fertilize them properly. Therefore, applying the right fertilizers and managing nutrients properly is essential for a successful crop.

Pistachio nutritional needs can vary depending on several factors, such as tree age, plantation size, soil type, climate and crop variety. 

The most important nutrients are:

Nitrogen: The application of this element is essential for the crop growth, as it will make the plant grow consistently and will enhance crop vigor. This will mainly reflect in the proper growth of the shoots.

Phosphorus: Part of the metabolic processes, photosynthesis, generation of root system and extraction of reserve energies.

Potassium: It adjusts water absorption, increases resistance to stress situations due to extreme conditions and helps us with fruit fattening/ripening.

Magnesium: A molecule that is part of the structural basis of chlorophyll, being vital for plant nutrition.

Calcium: It is an essential element for the growth of tissues and its influence at the fruit cellular level.

In addition to the main nutrients mentioned above, pistachio also needs a proper amount of micronutrients for healthy growth and good yield. The most important micronutrients for pistachio are iron, zinc, manganese and boron. 

Recommendations from Herogra Especiales

For a good nutrition, Herogra Especiales recommends products such as Herofol Denso Verde to enhance sprouting and crop development, and Herofol Denso Rojo for pistachio fattening during the final stages.

In addition, we recommend organic products that provide biostimulation to the crop. For example, Herovital Serie Oro, a product based on amino acids, which stand out for being short-chain peptides (oligopeptides) that enhance crop development and protect it against stress conditions. On the other hand, Ecotop is focused on improving fruit setting and achieving good fruit development.

The following results show pistachio trees fattening using these products during the cycle: Herofol Denso Verde, Herovital Serie Oro, Ecotop, Heromar and Herofol Denso Rojo.