Innovations in pistachio
Innovations in pistachio
Various technological advances and ongoing biological and genetic research are radically transforming pistachio plantations, allowing optimize multiple aspects of agricultural practices, such as water use, plant health, integrated pest control, project monitoring and decision-making.
These improvements translate into a considerable increased productivity and profitability of the crop, in the quality of the pistachio and in the sustainability of the operations.
In this post, we offer a cutting-edge approach to pistachio cultivation. We explore the main innovations being developed and integrated in Spain and around the world to ensure maximum phytosanitary control, improved plant characteristics, optimized natural resources, and automated processes.
Innovations in control, diagnosis and prevention
Agróptimum: Phytosanitary control of pistachio crops.
One of the key factors to ensure the quality and performance of production is to maintain phytosanitary control Pistachio cultivation. Among the most innovative techniques applied in this area are the following:
Biological control of crop pests
El biologic control Pest management involves the use of living organisms, such as insects or bacteria, that are naturally capable of suppressing or regulating populations of organisms harmful to pistachio trees.
It is a strategy of big benefits Compared to chemical control, it prevents environmental pollution (soil, water, and air) and improves the quality of pistachios (no pesticide residues remain on the fruit). It also helps reduce production costs.
In pistachio trees the most important pest is a small orange insect called psylla (Agonoscena pistaciae). It is an organism that covers the leaves of the tree, preventing the action of sunlight and causing them to fall.
Some of the innovations that drive plant health include:
- in iranIn one of the main pistachio-producing countries, biological control has been experimentally implemented by incorporating natural enemies of psylla into orchards, generally predatory insects such as the green lacewing, ladybugs, and spiders.
- In SpainSpecifically in Castilla La Mancha, the plant health of pistachio trees is also being promoted through a pioneering project.
- Various organic phytosanitary products are being tested to control both the psylla , the the clytra (Labidostomis lusitanica).
Use of drones for diagnosis and prevention
Use of drones for monitoring and remote sensing of risks.
Another innovation that has multiple benefits for the diagnosis and control of pistachio crops is the use of advanced detection unmanned aerial vehicles. drones are equipped with multispectral cameras and sensors that capture high-resolution aerial images and thermal data on plantations.
By analyzing these images, it is possible to obtain valuable information about the growth, health, and any changes in the state of the crop. These are images that reveal these subtle variations in plant health indicators that can go unnoticed at first glance.
Among the applications of multispectral drones are the following:
- MonitoringThey help monitor crops, providing detailed information on nutrition, chlorophyll content, water stress levels, early signs of disease, and more.
- Remote sensingThey can accurately and early detect the presence of pests and nutrient deficiencies in plants. This information helps inform decisions about pest control, fertilization, irrigation, and more.
Internet of Things (IoT) in pistachio farming
The Internet of Things involves the use of a network of physical objects (devices, sensors, digital platforms, etc.) interconnected via the Internet. This allows for the monitoring and capture various data in real time about the crop and its environment.
The network of devices can be installed on the plantation to collect, store, and analyze large amounts of data from a variety of sources, including humidity, temperature, nutrient levels, and more.
E.g.This data can be used to determine the amount of water each tree requires at the right time and automate the irrigation system.
Innovations in genetic improvement for pistachio cultivation
Genetic improvement involves applying techniques for the selection and controlled crossing of pistachio varieties to obtain superior characteristics of this plant, such as greater adaptation to climate or soil, greater resistance to disease, or less dependence on water.
For example, there are the molecular techniques that focus on the analysis of plant DNA to select the most suitable species for cloning or crossbreeding. There are also tissue culture techniques which are based on the controlled growth of plant cells and tissues in the laboratory, to obtain new varieties with superior characteristics of interest.
In SpainVarious programs are being developed for the genetic improvement of pistachios, with the main objective of improving the pistachio varieties currently available on the market and obtaining various native varieties that adapt to the production areas in Spain.
- Agróptimum, Acemi Spain, University of Cordoba and some external researchers are leading a medium and long-term (12 years) program for genetic improvement of pistachios, to create varieties that adapt to various challenges of climate change (shortage of cold hours, drought, extreme heat, etc.) and that, at the same time, are more productive.
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Sustainable irrigation technologies
Sustainable irrigation which reduces water consumption and waste.
Irrigation It directly influences the growth, yield, and quality of plants and pistachios. However, it is a practice that involves intensive use of water, a scarce and valuable resource.
To minimize the environmental impact of pistachio cultivation, sustainable irrigation technologies that reduce water consumption and waste. Micro-irrigation systems are used to allow for precise irrigation, delivering water directly to the plant's root area. For example:
- Soil moisture monitoringThis involves the use of sensors that monitor root moisture levels and detect when and how much water they require. This data is sent to a control station, where it is processed and displayed. This allows irrigation to be adjusted according to the needs of each plantation and tree.
The use of Artificial Intelligence
La Artificial Intelligence AI It is responsible for designing systems and programs capable of performing tasks associated with the human mind, such as learning, reasoning, communication and decision-making.
In this context, AI has enormous potential to create intelligent systems that can integrate and analyze large volumes of data and automate operations in pistachio cultivation. E.g.:
For data analysis
It is possible to develop advanced machine learning algorithms to carry out data analysis from various sources (sensors, drones, satellites, databases, etc.), in order to detect patterns and predict behaviors and performance. Therefore, it is a technology that helps with decision-making in various aspects of cultivation, such as fertilization, pest control, and irrigation.
- For instance, Machine learning models can be trained by feeding large amounts of images of healthy and diseased pistachios. This allows them to analyze satellite images of the plantation to predict disease outbreaks, helping to take timely preventive measures.
For process automation
It is also possible to develop robotic systems Equipped with machine learning and computer vision algorithms that enable the automation of harvesting, irrigation, or nutrient application.
E.g.Through a prior training stage, these systems can perceive the color, texture, and size of pistachios to identify which fruits are ripe.
Blockchain technology: maximum security and traceability
The integration of technology Blockchain improves the visibility of each phase of the agricultural value chain and maximizes the product safety and traceability from the farm to the final consumer.
They also help producers to ensure the quality of the inputs purchased and provide greater security in negotiations, through smart contracts that activate payment automatically, immediately after delivery.
In this aspect,
- Agróptimum, as an innovative agricultural company, leads the project of “AgriBlockchain”, to track the supply chain and ensure traceability from seed to fruit.
Research, development and innovation: R&D&I
En Agróptimum We are committed to innovation in agriculture to make it more profitable and sustainableWe are a consulting firm focused on farm transformation. We offer fully customized services, supporting investors and producers throughout the entire process and providing them with the expertise, technology, and inputs they need for a viable crop.
We hold an own R&D&I laboratory Equipped with cutting-edge technology to ensure crop quality control and provide innovative developments that allow us to obtain a pistachio variety with Spanish DNA and turn Spain into a world power in the pistachio industry.
We are your partner for the cultivation business. Contact us, we talk about your project and take care of everything.
Javier Gallego Largo
R&D Director of Agróptimum.
