Blog
Mechanical Pollination in Pistachio Production: Results from Golden Hills Pistachio Trials – Reviewed and Endorsed by Dr. Louise Ferguson
Pistachios are among the world's most valued nut crops, prized for their nutritional benefits, flavor, and growing consumer demand. However, successful pistachio production depends heavily on effective pollination- a process that has traditionally relied on wind....
Beyond Pollen: Why Successful Pistachio Pollination Depends on Delivery, Timing, and Climate Resilience
When discussing pistachio pollination, most conversations focus on one question: Is there enough pollen? In reality, successful pollination depends on much more than pollen availability. Growers must consider how pollen reaches the flower, when it arrives, and whether...
What Four Years of Field Data Reveal About Supplemental Mechanical Pollination
For decades, pistachio growers have relied on wind to carry pollen from male trees to receptive female flowers. While natural pollination has supported commercial production, climate variability, bloom desynchronization, and the short lifespan of viable pollen...
Are Growers Adjusting Pistachio Pollination Methods in Response to California Climate Change?
Introduction A silent but relentless transformation is underway as the golden sun beats down on California's pistachio orchards. The intricate dance between nature and agriculture in the Golden State has long been the envy of the world. However, with rising...
How winter cold affects pistachio pollination?
By Gal Sapir Vernalization - How it affects flower synchronization in pistachio? Deciduous fruit trees naturally go through a dormant phase when the days become shorter and the temperature drops in the fall. This helps them survive the winter months and protect...
Xenia effect – another hidden aspect of pollination
By Gal Sapir Xenia is a hidden aspect of pollination that has a direct impact on the growth and characteristics of seeds and fruits from fertilization to germination. It causes changes in the physical appearance of the seeds and fruits, which reflect the traits of the...
Mechanical pollination – it’s all about timing
By Gal Sapir When planning to perform precision mechanical pollination in orchards, there are several important aspects of precision to consider. One such aspect is the precise amount or dosage of pollen dispersed. As the production process of pollen is expensive,...
Mechanical Pollination – From Concept to Reality
The importance of supplemental mechanical pollination has been gaining significant interest lately.
Overcoming challenges related to both, wind and insect pollination, is a
Can Self-Fertile Varieties Solve the Pollination Problem in Orchards?
By Gal Sapir In orchards growing Rosaceae varieties such as almonds, cherries, apples, pears, plums, and more, a mechanism called Gametophytic Self-Incompatibility (GSI) prevents self-fertilization. This means that different varieties must interplant in the...