Investigating the Role of Orchard Management in Pistachio (𝘗𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘢 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘢 L.) Stained Shell: A Questionnaire Study

Subject Areas : Pistachio

Mohammad Abdollahi Ezatabadi ¹ , Hamid Alipour ² , Najmeh Pakdaman ^{3 *}

1 - Pistachio Research Center, Horticultural Science Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Rafsanjan, Iran
2 - Pistachio Research Center, Horticultural Science Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Rafsanjan, Iran
3 - Pistachio Research Center, Horticultural Science Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Rafsanjan, Iran

Received: 2024-04-24 Accepted : 2024-09-22 Published : 2025-08-29

Keywords: Manure channel, Orchard management, Pistachio, Stained shell,

Abstract :

A white and unstained shell enhances the marketability of pistachios, while shells with yellow or dark stains are less desirable. Furthermore, studies suggest a direct correlation between shell stains and contamination with aflatoxin which significantly decreases pistachio exports and reduces farmers' earnings from pistachios. Current study aimed to investigate the impact of orchard characteristics and management on pistachio shell staining in Anar and Rafsanjan counties in Kerman province. Data were collected in the fall of 2023 from 286 pistachio orchards in these two counties and analyzed using analysis of variance and SPSS26 software. The results revealed that both quantitative and qualitative water stress on trees, as well as heavy soil texture, increase the likelihood of pistachio shell staining. During summer, preventing the temperature from exceeding 40°C on the surface of the pistachio nuts on the tree can reduce the likelihood of shell staining. Furthermore, the results indicated that the use of calcium-rich fertilizers such as chicken manure, annual application of nitrogen fertilizers, using potassium fertilizers, and pruning excessive spurs in cultivars like Akbari, can decrease the percentage of pistachios with stained shells. Minimizing root damage during nutrition and soil improvement operations also reduces the likelihood of producing pistachios with stained shells. For instance, it is advisable to use manual labor instead of machinery for digging manure channel.

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