Aflatoxins are secondary metabolites, which have documented in food and feed such as pistachio.Application of incorrect cultural practices such as animal manures resulted in increasing the density of Aspergillus section Flavi propagules and as consequences increase in aflatoxin content in pistachio nuts. Here, the density of Aspergillus section Flavi propagules, aflatoxin kernel content and characteristics of pistachio fruits in soil surface and fertilizer cannel applications of poultry manure in the orchards in randomized complete block design were compared with control treatment (without poultry manure application). Application of poultry manure on soil surface increased Aspergillus section Flavi propagulesby 4.5 and 11 times higher than compare to those treatments either which not received or in fertilizer channels, respectively. Aflatoxin content in pistachio nuts decreased by 85 and 51 % where poultry manures applied in fertilizer channels and no application compared to surface application, respectively. Overall, poultry manure in fertilizer channel reduced the frequency of blank fruits as well as increasing of splitted nuts and the nuts’ sizes. پرونده مقاله

Pistachios (one of 50 healthy foods) are essential for human health. The ripening stage is of great importance for food processing, as the chemical composition of this fruit is heavily influenced by its maturity level. For instance, as premature pistachio has unique green color, it can be used in desserts, sauces, ice creams, and chocolates, while mature pistachios often used as snacks. Considering that the nutrients in the pistachio kernel are dependent on various factors, especially environmental conditions, determining the amount of these compounds during the ripening stages of the pistachio kernel can considerably contribute to the appropriate harvest time and increase the duration of its storage period. Biochemical compounds such as carbohydrates, fats, and proteins are less affected by growth but may affect pistachio kernel taste and its nutritional value and health. The highest amounts of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins are available at the time of optimal harvesting when the hull is fully ripe. Phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of pistachio decrease during ripening, and oil and fatty acid levels increase with the ripening period. In the case of the color parameter, the L factor decreases during the ripening period, and the a and b factors increase. Different stages of ripening have a significant effect on pistachio compounds. Nutrients in pistachio kernel are dependent on various factors that their diagnosis in different stages of growth contributes considerably to harvesting at the right time and increasing the storage period of this product. پرونده مقاله

Pistachio is one of the economically important horticultural crops in Iran. The main pistachio-producing areas in Iran are located at the edge of the desert and are affected by soil and water salinity. Water and nutrient uptake by the root decreases under saline conditions. In this study, the effects of foliar growth regulators applied at different times on the nutrient uptake and leaf nutrient content of pistachio trees were examined in accordance with a split-plot experimental design based on a randomized complete block design with three replications. The field experiment was conducted with a group of 30-year-old pistachio trees that have been exposed to water and soil salinity. Experimental factors included the timing of foliar application and the applied concentrations of plant growth regulators. The timing of foliar application was the main factor and was split into three levels: application on May 21th, June 21th, and May 21th + June 21th. Different concentrations of plant growth regulators, including sodium nitroprusside, salicylic acid, and jasmonic acid, were split into ten levels and were designated as the sub-factor. Results showed that the timing of application and the applied concentration of plant growth regulators affected root nutrient uptake and leaf nutrient content. The one-time application of plant growth regulators in June and the two-stage application of plant growth regulators in May and June resulted in the highest increase in leaf nutrient content compared with the control treatment. The application of low and moderate concentrations of plant growth regulators increased leaf nutrient content compared with the control treatment. High concentrations of plant growth regulators exerted no significant effects on leaf nutrient content. پرونده مقاله

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. پرونده مقاله