Pistachio
Al-Qadri Nurseries imports and propagates rare species
To guide farmers to suitable varieties for their region
And achieve commercial and nutritional benefits
Pistachio tree is seasonal, long-lived, slow-growing
Height 6-10 meters
Dioecious tree
Flowers male or female
For fruit, pollen must travel from males to females
Only female trees produce fruit
One male per nine female trees
Trunk and branches gray
Roots reach 3 meters deep and 8 meters wide
Leaves fall in late autumn
Male trees lose leaves after females
Trees bloom in spring
Artificial pollination used to compensate for lost pollen
Pistachios grow in clusters
Fruits form on previous year’s buds
Alternate bearing is common
Good yield starts in seventh year
Productive life up to 100 years or more
Pistachio belongs to Anacardiaceae family
Origin Central Asia
Grows in hot, dry regions with cold winter
Like California, Lebanon, Syria, Iran, Turkey
Suitable Conditions
Needs long hot summer, cold winter
Tolerates very low humidity
Altitudes up to 1000 meters suitable
Cold winter needed to break dormancy
Lack of cold reduces pollination and production
Suitable Soil
Prefers deep, light, dry, sandy soil
Tolerates slightly acidic or alkaline soil
Limestone soils produce tasty pistachios
Water Requirements
Needs enough water, especially summer
Too much or too little reduces yield
Balanced irrigation gives best results
Soil Preparation
Plow 50-70 cm
Add organic fertilizer
Leave field fallow 4 years after other crops
Good soil develops strong roots
Planting from Seeds
Plant male and female together for pollination
Choose natural untreated seeds
Plant 3 cm deep
Maintain moisture and moderate temperature
Seedlings planted in pots, then transplanted
Fertilization
Nitrogen is essential
Add NPK as needed
Can use organic or green manure
Soil and leaf analysis critical for nutrients
Pruning
Reduce branches to maintain shape
Open interior for ventilation
Remove diseased or broken branches
Encourage secondary branches
Supports long-term fruit production
Pests and Diseases
Verticillium wilt
Phytophthora root rot
Armillaria root rot
Pistachio leaf death (Xanthomonas)
Prevention by resistant rootstocks and fallow field
Pistachio Varieties
Ashouri: early, large fruits, red shell, shiny red kernel
Batori: early, oval fruits, for roasting
Nap al-Jamal: large, sweet taste, drought resistant
Alimi: late flowering, low yield
Bunduqi: commercially desired, green kernels
Ain al-Tina: old, productive, tolerates harsh conditions
Ashouri White: medium growth, for roasting
Abu Reyha: strong growth, aromatic fruits, high yield
