UCB1: a high-yielding pistachio rootstock

Generally speaking, pistachios are tolerant of drought and soil salinity. However, irrigation and other factors can increase pistachio tree yield or fruit quality. Furthermore, there are varieties that may be more drought-resistant but less cold-tolerant; or are tolerant of certain diseases but more susceptible to frost.

Rootstocks are used to improve the pistachio tree's adaptation to various environments and increase crop yield. The rootstock It is the lower part of the plant that provides the root system (set of roots) and a portion of the stem. It is the element into which the graft is inserted, which is the upper part that will flower and bear fruit.

Agróptimum: rootstock solutions

Just as the graft (commercial variety of pistachio, female or male) is selected for the quality of the fruit, productivity, market preference, etc., the rootstock must also be chosen, considering its vigor and resistance to disease, climate and soil. Then, when the graft is successfully performed, a a tree with the best of both worlds.

In this post we present the pistachio rootstock UCB1A vigorous plant that allows you to achieve the desired profitability in your cultivation project.

Why is the UCB1 rootstock the most in-demand for pistachio cultivation?

The UCB1 owes its name to the abbreviation “University of California Berkeley's #1 hybrid pistachio rootstock”. It is a plant created by the Department of Phytopathology of this prestigious university, through hybridization (crossbreeding) between the varieties Atlantic Pistacia (female) and Pistacia Integerrima (male), previously selected.

Today, UCB1 is the most common rootstock Advanced. It has an attachment rate greater than 90%. It is the most widely used in the United States, the country with the highest pistachio production per planted hectare. It is even the most popular in long-established pistachio-producing countries, such as Iran.

Main features of the UCB1

It is a hybrid plant designed for be used only as a rootstock, by itself will not produce fruit.

It has superior characteristics that make it resistant to diseases and provide the highest efficiency. both in irrigated and dryland crops. Its main characteristics are:

It possesses exceptional vigor, which is why UCB#1's yield is high.
It has high resistance to diseases, such as attacks caused by Verticillium Dahliae o Phytophthora.
It withstands low temperatures and frost.
It tolerates soil salinity.
Drought resistant.
It can be planted in all types of soil.
It represents the only option for cold areas with a high incidence of verticillium wilt (a disease caused by the fungus Verticillium).
It is compatible with virtually all pistachio varieties, such as Randy, Sirora, Larnaka, Kerman, C-Special, Peter, etc.

Advantages of using the UCB1 rootstock

The many characteristics of UCB1 allow it to offer numerous benefits, both agronomic and economic. For example, this pistachio rootstock:

Speed up production: Generally, trees grafted with UCB1 begin producing 3 to 4 years after planting. This early production allows for an early return on investment.

It provides uniformity to the plantations. That is, all plants will have the same height and will enter production in the same period.

It makes it easy to achieve high performance. The UCB1 rootstock accelerates the onset of production, making it possible to obtain an average pistachio harvest in less time.

What propagation method is used for the UCB1 rootstock?

Propagation methods for the UCB1 rootstock

The UCB1 rootstock can be cloned or propagated by seed:

in vitro cloning

It is a laboratory-produced asexual propagation, in which UCB1 rootstock tissue is grown. To do this, a population of rootstocks with the desired characteristics is first selected. This method allows plants to multiply rapidly. This method is not advisable because the plant does not develop a taproot and is also susceptible to a multitude of diseases.

Seed

It is a sexual propagation in which UCB1 seeds are used grown on certified trees They implement the same protocols and controls as the University of California. Special manual pollination procedures are used to produce the seed. Furthermore, the greenhouse has special protections to prevent unwanted hybridization. Its root system is characterized by a taproot, which allows it to penetrate deeper into the soil, achieving better adaptation, anchorage, and access to water and nutrient reserves.

Buying a grafted pistachio plant or a rootstock. Which is better?

It is possible to acquire the grafted pistachio plants in a nursery, whose process has been carried out by expert professionals. You can also purchase the UCB1 rootstock, transfer them, plant them and perform the grafting in the land or field itself.

Agróptimum: pistachio plants grafted in a nursery.

We always recommend purchasing grafted pistachio plants because they eliminate the risks associated with the grafting process. This provides peace of mind for the grower and offers the following benefits:

Maximum reliability in graft take: They are developed under strict controls and free from threats, so the engraftment rate is high and the healing of the graft is fast and safe.

Better affinity and lignification of the graft: Grafted pistachio plants grow in an optimal greenhouse environment, under controlled humidity and temperature. Therefore, they remain in optimal health.

Greater profitability: Since it is a more developed plant, it will enter production sooner than one grafted in the field, in addition to having greater homogeneity.

Economic return: Grafted pistachio plants are much more developed in the field, which translates into earlier entry into production.

Certification is a guarantee that The rootstocks will develop and grow evenly and will present high resistance to diseases, cold and soil salinity.

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Agróptimum: innovative agriculture for maximum crop profitability

We are the largest producer of plants of pistachios in Europe. We have a continuous production of UCB1 rootstocks and grafted pistachio plants throughout the year.

We use the UCB1 seed developed by the University of California, to ensure rapid entry into production and high yields for our customers' crops.

En Agróptimum We are committed to the joint work of technology, experience, innovation, and sustainable practices. Our nurseries They have a modern infrastructure and highly technical of more than 75.000 m², managed under an approach eco-friendly, to ensure comprehensive monitoring and control of plant temperature, nutrition, humidity and growth.