Detailed Explanation of Pistachio Planting Techniques and Management Methods

The pistachio tree (Pistacia vera), also called the pistachio, is a small deciduous tree. The tree grows about 10 m tall, with odd-pinnate compound leaves, a long lifespan, and slow growth. Counting from the first year of planting a seed, a seedling grown from seed needs at least six years to bear fruit, and the fruiting rate increases year by year. The fruit is relatively large, oblong, about 2 cm long and about 1 cm wide, and turns yellow-green or pink when ripe. It is native to Syria, Iraq, Iran, the southwestern part of the former Soviet Union, and southern Europe, and was later introduced to remote areas of China.

Pistachio planting and management techniques

I. Pistachio orchard site selection

Although pistachios are tolerant of poor soil, drought, and cold, and are extremely adaptable, for production it is best to choose plots with deep soil layers and well-aerated loam and sandy loam for planting. Because pistachios are highly susceptible to late frost damage, pay attention to choosing the middle of hillsides, open flat land, valley land, and south-facing slopes that are sheltered from wind and face the sun for orchard establishment, and do not establish the orchard on the windward side of the prevailing wind direction.

II. Pistachio seedling planting

For pistachio planting, a row spacing of 3 m x 4 m or 4 m x 5 m is suitable, with 33-55 plants planted per mu. In dense planting orchards, 83-111 plants can be planted per mu. Both finished seedlings and bud seedlings can be used for planting. Before planting, dig planting holes 60 cm deep and 60 cm in diameter. When planting, keep the roots level with the ground, firm the soil while planting, and then irrigate thoroughly.

III. Pistachio fertilizer and water management

1. Scientific fertilization for pistachios: young trees are given base fertilizer once a year, about 20 kg per plant. Fruiting trees are fertilized once every 2-3 years. Generally, fertilization is applied 3 times a year. The first time is preferably in early spring or autumn and winter, mainly with quick-acting nitrogen fertilizer. The second time is during the fruit expansion period, mainly with nitrogen and potassium fertilizers. The third time is after fruit harvest, mainly with organic fertilizers such as compost and barnyard manure, usually applied in combination with deep plowing in autumn.

2. Timely irrigation for pistachios: winter irrigation before the onset of winter has a better effect.

IV. Pistachio training and pruning

Pistachios are light-loving and have strong apical dominance. In high-density orchards, the free spindle shape is often the main form, while in low-density orchards, the natural open-center shape is mainly used.

1. Free spindle shape: its characteristic is having a central leader, with 10-15 main branches alternately borne at different positions on the central leader. The main branches maintain an 80-90 degree angle with the trunk, and medium and small fruiting branch groups are borne directly on the main branches.

2. Natural open-center shape: its main characteristic is good ventilation and light penetration. The trunk height is about 40-50 cm. Select and retain 3-4 main branches on the trunk, with a basal angle of 45-75 degrees, and 2-4 side branches, with branch groups arranged on the side branches.

3. Pistachios have strong branching ability, and the principle of pruning is to thin more and cut back less. Pistachios mainly bear fruit on short fruiting branches. Young trees and trees in the initial fruiting stage grow vigorously and have a relatively large number of medium and long fruiting branches. Generally, when new shoots grow to about 50-60 cm, pinch the tips in time to promote secondary shoots and increase fruiting branches. Retain back branches and upright branches, and twist the tips in time. Generally, the tree shape can be formed by the winter of the second year after planting.

V. Pistachio flower and fruit management

1. Strengthen comprehensive orchard management (that is, soil, fertilizer, and water management) to enhance tree vigor, promote flower bud differentiation, and apply more organic fertilizer.

2. Reasonably arrange pollinator trees. Pistachios are self-unfruitful. Generally, every 2 rows of the main cultivar are interplanted with 1 row of pollinator cultivar to create conditions for normal pollination of pistachios and help increase the fruit-setting rate.