WCN_Dec17WEB

ET of Mature Pistachio Orchards
Grown on Increasingly Saline Soils
By Cecilia Parsons | Contributing Writer
As pistachio plantings expand further
into the Central Valley and San
Joaquin Valley areas on marginal and
salt affected soils, growers need to take a
closer look at their actual tree water use
and irrigation management practices to
maximize their production.
Salinization occurs when the concentration
of soluble salts in the root
zone is high enough to limit or impair
optimum root growth, canopy development,
and possibly crop yield. High
salt concentration increases the soil’s
water retention, making water uptake by
36 West Coast Nut December 2017