Cultivo de pistache

PISTACHIO CATALOGUE
Pistacia vera
The pistachio nut grows on a small tree or shrub classified as Pistachia vera. Pistachica is a genus of the family Anacardiaceae and is related to cashew (Anacardium occidentale), mango (Mangifera indica) and the pepper tree (Schinus molle). Pistachios can be grown in a range of temperature climates, but commercial plantings require more exacting conditions. Ideally, pistachios require cold winters and hot, dry summers so the major growing areas tend to be the Murray and Murrumbidgee Irrigation areas, with some smaller plantings in Western Australia and Eastern South Australia. The quality of imported pistachio nuts is generally poor in comparison with Australian pistachios, which are fresher, have a superior flavour and do not require fumigation like imported nuts.

CHILLING FACTOR
Insufficient winter chilling in the Australian growing areas due to mild winters and possibly progressive climate change has also become a priority issue. Warmer winters affect breaking of dormancy in pistachio trees, which is common with many other deciduous fruit and nut trees, they require winter chilling to ensure uniform budburst and flowering. Pistachios generally require about 1000 hours below 7.5C each winter for commercial nut production. Summer and Autumn should be dry and rain free to prevent staining of shells and a build up of a fungus producing Aflatoxin. (Aflatoxin is a toxic compound that is produced by certain mould and contaminates stored food).

POLLINATION
Pistachios are dioecious, meaning male and female flowers are on separate trees. Therefore male and female trees must be present for fruit set or a branch from a male tree must be grafted to a female tree. A pollinator density of 1 Male in 15 Female trees is now considered adequate. After pollination, nuts, which are produced in bunches near the shoots extremities, develop very rapidly and the outside shell may reach full size after a few weeks. At his stage it is almost