The pistachio acreage in Spain has expanded by almost 30% in the last year, bringing the nut's total production to more than 7,000 tons. According to the Survey on Surfaces and Crop Yields published by the Ministry of Agriculture, in 2017, 15,847 hectares of pistachio were cultivated in Spain; a figure that increased to 20,415 hectares in 2018.
Many producers are betting on pistachio cultivation due to its huge potential in a market that is fully on the rise. The increase in the demand for pistachio has also entailed an increase in the need to technify both the plant's production and the fruit's cultivation.
Thus, in order to facilitate the expansion of the national pistachio production, the company Grupo Projar has different types of substrates for the crop's propagation, both on trays and in pots. In general, these are substrates with a high concentration of coconut fiber, which prevents their compaction and offers a high draining capacity, thus preventing puddles. At the same time, it provides aeration to the root system and allows an optimal development of the plant.
Another of the products most in demand by propagators is the Flexiband grafting rubber, which is a photodegradable rubber that doesn't need to be removed, and which helps in achieving success in the grafts or the QP seed trays. It is made of recycled and recyclable plastic, with an alveolus height deep enough to guarantee the perfect development of the young plant's root system.
When it comes to planting the pistachio, Miriam Carretero, head for communication of the Projar Group, highlights the products for staking, such as bamboo cane; a 100% natural material that is used as a guide and support in many types of crops, both in nurseries and in field plantings, or fiberglass tutors, which have a high water resistance and greater durability than any other type of cane.
"At Projar, we have greenhouse tree protectors that are specially indicated to protect, not only pistachio, but also vines, almonds, kiwifruit and fruit trees in general from animals and adverse weather conditions that can interfere in the plants' development," said the communication manager of the Projar Group.
The pistachio tree is native to desert and saline areas and is able to survive in adverse weather conditions. Since it requires relatively cold winters for its development, with a very low humidity and long, hot summers, not all geographical areas of Spain are suitable for its cultivation.
Castile-La Mancha accounts for more than 70% of Spain's pistachio production, followed by other regions such as Andalusia and Extremadura.
For more information:
www.projargroup.com