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How to test soil before fertilizing

How to test soil before fertilizing Practical guide to pre-fertilization soil testing in pistachio orchards Why it matters A proper soil test is the foundation of a sound fertilization plan. It prevents wasted costs, salt build-up, and hidden deficiencies. 1) Best timing - Ideal window: Late winter, before the first heavy fertilizations and seasonal irrigations. - Useful alternative: Right after harvest (to assess salinity and residual nutrients). - Distance from inputs/irrigation: - Sample at least 2–4 weeks after the last fertilization. - Wait 2–3 days after the last irrigation/rain so soil moisture is moderate. 2) Divide the block into management zones - Split the orchard into homogeneous zones by soil texture, slope, cultivar/rootstock, vigor/color (field walk, drone/satellite), and irrigation blocks. - Sample each zone separately; mixing dissimilar areas makes results meaningless.

9/18/2025 12:48:00 PM View More

which nutrients are essential for pistachio?

Which nutrients are essential for pistachio? At a glance Pistachio needs all 17 essential plant nutrients for sustained growth and yield. In practice—especially in calcareous and semi‑saline soils—the most decisive are: nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur; and among the micronutrients: iron, zinc, boron; followed by manganese, copper, molybdenum, chlorine, and nickel. Nutrient categories - Primary macronutrients: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) - Secondary macronutrients: calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S) - Micronutrients: iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), boron (B), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo), chlorine (Cl), nickel (Ni)

9/19/2025 12:32:00 AM View More

Best times of year to fertilize pistachio trees

Suggested pistachio fertilization calendar - Late winter to bud swell (Esfand → early Farvardin; roughly late Feb → early Apr) - Objective: Prepare the soil and start nutrition gently. - Actions: Soil amendments (gypsum on sodic soils, elemental sulfur, organic matter), base phosphorus or phosphoric acid placed near the root zone, Fe-EDDHA chelate in soil, and a gentle start of N with the first irrigations. Foliar Zn/B only if tests show need. - Budbreak to bloom (Farvardin → Ordibehesht; ~late Mar → late May) - Objective: Support early growth without provoking lush, excessive shoots. - Actions: Light, split N and P via fertigation; avoid heavy N right around bloom. Targeted foliar Zn/B only if needed. - Post-pollination to shell hardening (Ordibehesht → Khordad; ~late May → late Jun) - Objective: Supply most of the season’s N and P to secure set and young nut growth. - Actions: Apply the main share of N in several splits + begin K; add calcium if needed (e.g., calcium nitrate). Prefer low-chloride sources

9/18/2025 10:40:00 AM View More

The impact of fertilization on pistachio growth and health

Done right, fertilization brings balanced vegetative growth, higher nut set and kernel fill, better fruit quality (higher split percentage, fewer blanks), reduced alternate bearing, and greater resilience to stresses and some diseases. Done poorly, it can cause salinity and leaf burn, fruit drop, more disease, and lower product quality. Roles of macronutrients and micronutrients - Nitrogen (N): the engine of growth and yield. Deficiency → pale leaves, weak growth, slender kernels. Excess → overly vigorous shoots, shading, stronger alternate bearing, and greater susceptibility to cankers/dieback. - Phosphorus (P): rooting and early-season energy; in calcareous soils its availability is low, so placement and fertilizer form matter. - Potassium (K): sugar transport and water regulation; critical for kernel fill, lowering blanks, and improving water-use efficiency. Deficiency → leaf margin burn and small kernels. - Calcium (Ca): strengthens cell walls and shell; helps reduce cracks and pathogen entry. Gypsum also improves sodic soils. - Magnesium (Mg): the core of chlorophyll; deficiency → interveinal chlorosis on older leaves. - Sulfur (S): protein synthesis; in calcareous soils helps moderate pH (as elemental S or sulfates). - Zinc (Zn): leaf size and internode length; deficiency (common at high pH) → rosetting, small leaves. - Boron (B): pollen-tube growth and fertilization; deficiency → poor nut set and deformed shells. The safe range is narrow; excess is toxic. - Iron (Fe): for chlorophyll; deficiency → interveinal chlorosis on young leaves (common in calcareous soils). Fe-EDDHA chelate is more effective. - Manganese/Copper (Mn/Cu): enzymatic and defensive roles; deficiencies are less common but can occur at high pH.

9/22/2025 1:04:00 AM View More

Pistachio tree spraying time

Timing of spraying in pistachio In pistachio, “spray timing” depends on the target pest/disease, the tree’s growth stage, and the weather. A fixed calendar is not the right approach: scout first, then decide based on economic thresholds. The schedule below is a practical general framework (shift by 2–3 weeks depending on your region). Key notes before the calendar - Weekly scouting: inspect upper and lower leaf surfaces and clusters; look for nymphs of pistachio psyllid and fresh honeydew, mites, thrips, and nut drop. - Avoid spraying in intense heat or wind; best time is early morning or evening. - Avoid heavy foliar sprays during pollination wherever possible. - Rotate modes of action (IRAC/FRAC) and observe pre-harvest intervals and product labels. - Protect natural enemies (lady beetles, lacewings) and keep the orchard clean.

9/17/2025 11:28:00 PM View More

Selecting the right seedling according to different regions and climates of Iran

Selecting the right seedling is one of the key steps in modern agriculture that has a direct impact on the yield and quality of products. Given the climatic and geographical diversity in Iran, selecting seedlings must be done carefully and with attention to the specific conditions of each region. In this article, we will examine in more detail the important points in selecting the right seedling according to different regions and climates of Iran.

9/15/2025 4:16:00 AM View More

Key factors in pistachio propagation (seed + grafting)

Key Factors in Propagating Pistachio (Seed + Graft) Goal: Produce uniform, healthy, site-adapted nursery trees that establish quickly and enter stable bearing. This depends on three pillars: choosing the right rootstock, high-quality propagation material (seed/scion), and precise, hygienic execution at the right time. 1) Rootstock selection based on soil, water, and disease pressure - Test soil and water before anything else: salinity (EC), sodium/chloride, lime/pH, soil texture, depth and drainage. - Commonly used rootstocks (field summary): - Pistacia atlantica (beneh): very tolerant of drought and calcareous soils; moderate vigor; more susceptible to Verticillium than UCB1; suited to low-rainfall sites and heavier soils. - Pistacia integerrima: very vigorous, good Verticillium tolerance; more cold-sensitive; suited to warm regions. - Pistacia khinjuk (khinjuk): drought- and cold-tolerant; slower growth; calcareous-soil compatible. - Pistacia vera (seedling pistachio): excellent graft compatibility but more prone to some soilborne diseases; less recommended. - UCB1 (atlantica × integerrima hybrid): very vigorous, good Verticillium tolerance and medium-to-good salt tolerance, high uniformity; a leading choice in many orchards. - Note: Choose rootstock in light of climate (cold/heat), prior soil infection (especially Verticillium), and irrigation-water quality.

9/17/2025 11:12:00 AM View More

Types of fruit trees and their characteristics

Fruit trees, as a major part of plant families, play a significant role in ensuring food security and human health. These organisms are divided into distinct groups based on botanical and ecological criteria. This article presents a scientific classification of fruit trees based on climatic adaptation and morphological characteristics and analyzes the key characteristics of each group.

9/14/2025 2:32:00 AM View More

A guide to pruning pistachio trees from the basics to automation

Golden pruning tips for pistachio trees - Timing: Late winter, before bud swell, on dry days. In cold regions, wait until the main frost risk has passed. Avoid heavy pruning in autumn. - Ideal form: Open vase or modified leader with 4–5 strong primary scaffolds set at 50–70° angles and 15–25 cm of vertical spacing. - Trunk height: About 100–120 cm for airflow and compatibility with mechanized harvest. - Cut type: Prefer thinning cuts over heading cuts so light penetrates the canopy and fewer watersprouts are produced. - Shoot selection: Remove upright shoots inside the canopy, crossing/rubbing limbs, and dead, diseased, or broken wood; keep outward, wide-angled branches. - Managing alternate bearing: In on-years, prune a bit harder (to stimulate vegetative growth and moderate next year’s crop); in off-years, prune more lightly. - Males vs. females: Prune male trees slightly harder with light heading to produce more one-year-old wood (spring pollen source); prune female trees more gently to preserve fruiting wood. - Cut hygiene: Prune only in dry weather; disinfect tools with 70% alcohol or sodium hypochlorite; remove and destroy diseased debris (risk of Botryosphaeria/Cytospora canker). - Sunscald protection: After opening the canopy and making large cuts, whitewash interior branches with diluted white latex paint (1:1 with water). - After pruning: Dial back irrigation and nitrogen slightly to control watersprout growth; avoid leaving “stubs”—cut just outside the branch collar.

9/17/2025 2:24:00 PM View More

Tree pruning: A smart investment for a productive and healthy garden

pruning, as a key management strategy in modern horticulture, plays a vital role in optimizing the economic performance of orchards. This complex process, which is based on physiological, ecological and biomechanical principles of the plant, requires a deep understanding of the relationships between vegetative and reproductive growth, knowledge of plant health principles and mastery of operational techniques.

9/6/2025 6:24:00 PM View More

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