Javascript is disabled on your browser. For full functionality of this site it is necessary to enable JavaScript. Follow this link for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your web browser.

Seasonal N Uptake

Nitrogen in pistachio trees during 'on' and 'off' years. Before leaf-out, little N was taken up and the trees relied on N remobilized from perennial tissue. In 'on' years, approximately 30% of N was taken up during spring flush (mid-March to late May) and 70% during nut fill. N uptake was negligible between harvest and leaf senescence. In 'off' years, the proportion of N taken up during spring flush was slightly higher ^[1,3].

Nitrogen Partitioning

Nitrogen distribution in 20-year old 'Kerman' pistachio trees. Measurements were taken in September of an ‘on’ year ^[3].

Nitrogen Removed at Harvest

Nitrogen removed with harvested pistachios. The overall average is weighted for the number of observations in each trial. More information can be found here ^[2].

The value includes all nitrogen removed in hulls, shells and kernels, blank nuts and other non-marketable yield.

Links

Pistachio Fertilization Guidelines

References

1. Brown, P.H., Weinbaum, S.A., Picchioni, G.A., 1995. Alternate bearing influences annual nutrient consumption and the total nutrient content of mature pistachio trees. Trees 9, 158-164.
2. Geisseler, D., 2016. Nitrogen concentrations in harvested plant parts -A literature overview. Report to the Kings River Watershed Coalition.
3. Rosecrance, R.C., Weinbaum, S.A., Brown, P.H., 1996. Assessment of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium uptake capacity and root growth in mature alternate-bearing pistachio (Pistacia vera) trees. Tree Physiology 16, 949-956.
4. Siddiqui, M.I., Brown, P., 2013. Pistachio early-season sampling and in-season nitrogen application maximizes productivity, minimizes loss.