Genetic improvement project
Research and Development for Genetic Improvement of Pistachio Trees
Project IDI-20240407
Pistachios are one of the most promising crops in the Spanish agri-food sector. Their growing demand, nutritional value, and agronomic viability in dry climates make them a strategic crop in many areas of Spain. However, for their expansion to be sustainable and competitive, it is necessary to develop new tools that ensure this crop's greater adaptability to the specific conditions of the Iberian Peninsula.
In this context, the project "Research and Development for the Genetic Improvement of Pistachio Growers" was born, led by the Agróptimum group and developed in the laboratory of ACEMI Spain California Pistachio Nursery SL. This project is carried out in collaboration with the University of Córdoba (UCO), and with the support of the European Union and the Center for Technological Development and Innovation (CDTI).
The project studies more than 4.000 genetic crosses simultaneously.
Geographical scope and scientific collaboration
The central objective of this project is to develop new pistachio varieties adapted to Spain's climate and soil environment. Using traditional breeding methods (crosses between parental lines), the aim is to optimize key aspects of the crop, such as:
Productivity per hectare.
The organoleptic quality of the fruit.
Resistance to pests and diseases.
Adaptation to drought.
Furthermore, the aim is to incorporate molecular technology to identify genetic markers associated with key traits, thus facilitating future improvement programs.
The entire project is being developed in close collaboration with the University of Córdoba. The University of Córdoba provides a team of doctors specializing in the development of new varieties, who collaborate with Agróptimum technicians and guide the project's development.
The University of Córdoba provides ongoing, personal monitoring of the project.
Execution time
The project has a total duration of three years, from January 2024 to December 2026. This period is structured into several complementary phases, encompassing both the genetic design and agronomic evaluation of the new varieties. In the first phase, parental lines will be selected and the corresponding genetic crosses will be performed, with the aim of studying the compatibility between varieties and obtaining seeds with high potential. These actions are structured into three key stages:
Parental selection and crossbreeding.
Germination and planting in the field.
Agronomic evaluation of genotypes.
During the second phase, the obtained seeds will undergo forced germination in a greenhouse and will subsequently be planted in experimental plots, allowing observation of the early vigor of the seedlings and their interaction with different soil conditions. In the final stage, detailed technical monitoring will be carried out, measuring vegetative, phenological, and health parameters, in order to identify the most promising materials for subsequent dissemination and registration.
In 2024, a new batch of plants was brought into the field to expand the scope of the project.
Current status of the project expansion carried out in 2024.
Investment, European aid and management
The development of this project has been made possible thanks to a solid financing strategy that combines its own resources with institutional support. The total investment amounts to €767.530, a figure that reflects the commitment to agricultural innovation and the genetic improvement of strategic crops such as pistachios. This initiative is part of the European Union's ERDF (Federal Regional Development Fund) grant program, which has provided €223.214 in co-financing:
Total budget: 767.530 €.
European aid: 223.214 €.
Aid managed by CDTI: 529.798,20 €.
This financial support has been channeled through the Center for Technological Development and Innovation (CDTI), ensuring rigorous and results-oriented implementation. Thanks to this public-private partnership model, the technological capacity of the project's lead company is strengthened and the competitiveness of the national agri-food sector is boosted, laying the foundation for a more efficient, sustainable agriculture adapted to the current climate.
Expected results and knowledge transfer
Among the main results expected from this project is a significant increase in yield per hectare, estimated at 20% compared to the varieties currently available on the market. At least two new pistachio varieties are expected to be developed with greater tolerance to water and heat stress, as well as improved resistance to pathogens and pests.
At the scientific level, the goal is to identify molecular markers associated with key characteristics such as fruit size and organoleptic quality, which will facilitate genetic improvement in future campaigns. All this knowledge will be subject to intellectual property registration and actively disseminated through specialized conferences, scientific publications, and technical workshops, with the aim of generating an impact throughout the crop's value chain.
