Which pistachio seed varieties are best? A detailed guide to seedling cultivation methods
Pistachio, also known as Bistada and green kernel nut, is anut snack suitable for all ages. Its tree species is ashrub plant of the genus Pistacia in the Anacardiaceae family, native to Syria, Iraq, Iran, southwestern part of the former Soviet Union, and Southern Europe. At present, it is also cultivated in Xinjiang and other areas of China, and has good economic value. So whichseed varieties of pistachio are best? What are the seedling cultivation methods? Let's find out together.
Which pistachio seed varieties are best?
1. Long-fruited pistachio
Produced in Kashgar, Xinjiang, the fruit is long ovate, with a red blush, and a pointed tip. This variety belongs to the large-fruit type, with a high fruit-setting rate and strong productivity, and is one of the varieties with the most development potential.
2. Silora
Introduced from Australia to Henan Province in 2001, this variety has a moderate tree vigor, white kernels, top-grade quality, and strong productivity. It is one of the varieties with relatively high promotion value in the mountainous areas of the northwest.
3. Early-maturing pistachio
Produced in Shufu County, Xinjiang. The tree vigor is medium, the leaf surface is relatively smooth, the fruit is ovate and yellowish-white, and the fruit-setting rate is relatively low. It is rarely cultivated in the Kashgar region.
4. Akbari
An Iranian variety belonging to the long-fruited pistachio category, with the greatest economic value, famous for being expensive, top-grade, and unique. It contains light yellow kernels, and its shell is cream-colored. The most obvious feature of this type is that the width of its head and tail are nearly the same.
What are the seedling cultivation methods?
1. Seed collection and treatment
For pistachio seed collection, the mother trees should be selected from robust mature trees (over 15 years old) with no pests or diseases, full nut kernels, a low empty-shell rate, an earlier maturity period, and medium-sized fruit. The suitable seed collection time for pistachio is when the outer fruit skin turns waxy white and soft, and an abscission layer has formed between the fruit stalk and the fruit; collect by hand-picking or shaking the branches.
After collection, knock off the seeds, dry them in the shade, screen them, and remove impurities, and they can then be used for seedling cultivation. Seeds for autumn sowing are sown immediately after collection and do not need germination treatment; seeds for spring sowing still need stratification in wet sand for germination.
2. Land preparation and sowing
Choose a plot with shelter from the wind and sunny exposure, fertile soil, and no water accumulation, with sandy loam or loam soil, for seedling cultivation. Prepare the nursery land by breaking up the soil and leveling it, make beds 1 m wide, and apply 4000-5000 kg of farmyard manure per mu. Open furrows for drilling, spread the seeds evenly into the furrows, cover with 2-3 cm of soil, and press lightly. Cover with grass to preserve moisture and prevent soil compaction. After seedlings emerge, remove the covering grass in stages.
3. Seedling stage management
During the seedling stage, weed and loosen the soil. When the seedlings are 10 cm tall, thin them to a spacing of 10-15 cm, and at the same time apply topdressing and irrigate 2-3 times to promote growth.
4. Grafting for seedling cultivation
Chip budding with wood is carried out in spring before the rootstock leafs out; square budding is carried out during the growing season from May to August. After spring sprouting, truncate or top the rootstock at a height of 70-80 cm. Select and retain 1-2 robust sprouts (branches) in suitable positions, and cultivate them as new shoots of the rootstock for budding that year. Budded trees must not be watered within 10 days before and after grafting, the binding should be loosened after 15-20 days, and buds and sprouts should be removed once every 5 days after grafting. Stop fertilizer and water at the end of August to promote lignification of the new shoots from the budded buds, so as to facilitate safe overwintering.
5. Post-grafting management
After the graft survives, promptly loosen and untie the binding, set up support stakes, cut the rootstock, and remove sprouts.
Overall, there are still many pistachio varieties. When sowing seeds, be sure to choose high-quality varieties suitable for local sowing. Then carry out grafting for seedling cultivation properly. Mastering these key techniques can help you avoid many detours.
For wonderful pictures and text and popular comments about pistachio seed varieties and seedling cultivation, you may be interested in the content recommended below byNongxun Net. You are welcome to read.
Agricultural products you may be interested in: National high-quality pistachio seed supply