California s Pistachio and Almond Industry. David Doll UCCE Merced

Transcription

1 California s Pistachio and Almond Industry David Doll UCCE Merced

2 Pistachio Planting Trends Total ha Bearing Non-bearing Total

3 Pistachio Planting Trends 4500 Drought and low chill years Yield/ha (kg) Price/kg (USD) Bearing yield/ha Avg return/kg

4 Characteristics of California Production Current Production Areas Orchard Life several decades Limitations: <2500 for frost Climate(heat, chill, rain) Water Availability Ground Quality

5 Characteristics of California Production Varieties 85% Kerman (High chill, early April) - Pollinator Peters 8% Golden Hills (Moderate chill, mid March) Pollinator Randy 5% Lost Hills (Moderate chill, late March) Pollinator - Randy New varieties: GumDrop, Tejon, Old Varieties: Red Aleppo, Joley Relatively even bloom, light shell and good hinge strength

6 Characteristics of California Production Rootstocks P. atlantica P. integerrima (Pioneer Gold) Crosses P. atlantica x P. integerrima (PG II) P. integerrima x P. atlantica (UCB-1)

7 Climate: In-Season Rains Limited in-season rains (1 in=25 mm) City April May June July August September October Red Bluff Arbuckle Sacramento Trace Modesto Trace Fresno Trace Bakersfield Trace Pollination Disease (Bot) Disease (Bot, Alt), Harvest

8 Climate: Heat Units Nut Maturation Delayed Development, Poor Split % ~2400 Thermal Units/year for maximum kernel weight Thermal unit= (Avg daily temperature 7 o C) City Total Heat Units (April-Oct) Sacramento 2008 Los Banos 2359 Fresno 2758 Hanford 2466 Bakersfield 3174 Expect Lower % of Splits, Lighter kernels if cooler area

9 Climate: Navel Orange Worm Earlier Biofix Degree Day Accumulation Ease of Sanitation City 2014 NOW Degree Days 2017 NOW Degree Days Woodland Colusa Merced Los Banos Fresno Hanford Bakersfield March 15 th Sept 30 th DD accumulation

10 Climate: Navel Orange Worm Major insect pest Larvae feeds on kernel Crop loss Aflatoxin risk

11 Climate: Chill Units City Limiting factor Best if over 900 Units, 60 portions Fog increases accumulated units, sunny conditions will reduce Total Chill Units ( ) Total Chill Portions ( ) Colusa Woodland Modesto Fresno Belridge Bottom Line: Lower yields in low chill areas.

12 Climate: Chill Units City Most limiting factor Kerman 59-60ish Portions Best Peters if over portions Units (?) Fog Sirora increases (Australian accumulated Variety)-units, 59 Portions sunny Australian conditions Males will More reduce than one planted, lower than Peters Total Chill Units ( ) Total Chill Portions ( ) Total Chill Units ( ) Total Chill Portions ( ) Colusa Woodland Modesto Fresno Belridge Bottom Line: Lower yields in low chill areas.

13 Climate: Chill Units Impacts of Chill Delayed bloom Poor male overlap, increased blanks Multiple shakes Some Mitigation Applications of oil Multiple Pollinators Breeding for lower chill varieties Scattered Kerman bloom observed in 2014

14 Water Quality and Quantity Varies across the state 10 megs/ha of water use for maximum production Can get by on less, but affects yield May need more if poor quality Source Issues Groundwater Snow-melt

15 Soil Quality Saturated or easily saturated soils River bottoms High water table (quality and quantity) Saline, Alkaline soils Toxicity of sodium, chloride, and boron Boron < 3ppm EC < 6 ds/meter average rootzone salinity

16 Pistachio Nutrient Management

17 Nutrient Management of Pistachios Most of California nutrient management plans are based on nutrient removal Rates of macro and micronutrients take into account soil characteristics, cropping history, tissue analysis and field observations

18 14 Essential Elements for Pistachio Macronutrients Nitrogen Potassium Phosphorous Magnesium Calcium Sulfur Micronutrients Zinc Boron Iron Manganese Copper Chloride Nickel Molybdenum

19 Determining Rates/Needs Mid Summer Leaf Nutrient Analysis (Jan/Feb) Element Critical Value Suggested Range Nitrogen (N) 1.8% % Phosphorous (P) 0.14% % Potassium (K) 1.6% % Calcium (Ca) % % Magnesium (Mg) 0.6% % Boron (B) 90 ppm ppm Zinc (Zn) 7 ppm ppm Copper (Cu) 4 ppm 6-10 ppm Sodium (Na) Not established Not established Chlorine (Cl) Not established <0.2%

20 Determining Rates/Needs Proper Leaf Sampling Methods Sample female trees in late July and August Collect fully expanded sub-terminal leaflets from non fruiting branches Collect one to two average looking leaflets from 60 trees within the area of interest, 20 m apart Submit for testing within 24 hours or dry as soon as possible Be cautious of nutrient sprays shifting results

21 Determining Rates and Needs Soil Sampling Should be conducted regularly 3-10 sub-samples from a identified depths for each paddock or block Generally value to sample active irrigation zone more frequently, deeper depths occasionally Be aware of different soil types within fields and sample differently.

22 Determining Rates/Needs Nitrogen 28 kg/ton Need to take into account application efficiency (75%) 37 kg/ton Phosphorous 7 kg P 2 O 5 /ton Potassium 30 kg K 2 O /ton Nutrient Removal for 1000 kg

23 Nitrogen Applications w/in Pistachios Determining Need Crop estimation should occur based on cropping history and cluster counts Applications of 37 kg of N for every ton/ha Timing of uptake: Spring Flush 33% of budget Nut Fill 66% of budget Post Harvest Applications to bring into sufficiency About 50:50 in off-year

24 Nitrogen Applications in Pistachio Nitrogen assists with vegetative development, bud development, but does not put more buds on a tree Make limited applications through the spring (Oct-Nov), with the majority being applied in mid-december, January % for young trees Greater than 2.3% for mature trees Minimize postharvest applications to reduce frost risk

25 Nitrogen Management within Pistachios Nitrogen Deficiency: Young leaves are pale and old leaves drop Reddish petioles and mid-ribs of the leaves

26 Potassium Management within Pistachios Two strategies used w/in CA In-season applications Matching demand of orchards Dormant applications Slugging on during the dormant Timing of Uptake: Nearly 100% of uptake in stage 3 (Nut Fill) Material: Found no difference among types of fertilizers

27 Potassium Management within Potassium Potassium deficiency symptoms: Reduced nut weights and split % Symptoms appear in early to mid-summer Symptoms worst on older leaves of current shoots Normal look, but slow growth, smaller leaves

28 Phosphorous Management within Pistachio CA does not have P deficiency soils Applications are made to match withdrawals (~40 kg/ha) W/in AUS, probaby should consider water ran materials for inseason use, spring and nut fill

29 Micronutrient Management within Pistachios Magnesium Leaves utilize a lot of magnesium Deficiency often occurs in acidic soils, or high calcium or potassium levels Management Foliar sprays: 2-3 kgs/1000 L in early May for foliar sprays Can consider ground applications Dolomite to manage ph and Ca:Mg ratio

30 Micronutrient Management within Pistachios Zinc Deficiency common in alkaline soils May be possible to increase soil levels in neutral to acidic soils Foliar sprays are very effective 2 kg Zinc sulfate in 1000L/ha applied post bloom

31 Micronutrient Management within Pistachios Copper Symptoms appear in mid to late summer sprays need to be made prophylactically 100 g of Cu chelate applied when leaf canopy is 50-90% expanded

32 Micronutrient Management within Pistachios Boron Deficiency leads to reduced yield from poor fertilization Tip burning at growing points of young leaves as well as tip dieback Leaves are yellow, tips curled Clusters drop before set

33 Micronutrient Management within Pistachios Boron Fertilization 6-7 kg/ha applied annually until leaf tissue indicates sufficiency Foliar sprays made prior to bloom may help with yield if deficient (0.4-2 kg/ha) Leaf tissue over 150 ppm

34 Mineral Toxicity Boron Chloride Leaf tissue>400 ppm Leaf tissue>0.3%

35 Pistachio Nutrient Management Important to incorporate soil and leaf tissue results Soil ph is a major factor in nutrient availability and should be monitored annually and addressed if below 6 Nutrient rates should be based on crop demand, especially nitrogen, to reduce waste Avoid late fertilizer applications as this may promote growth and increase risk of tree damage If leaf values are high, adjust nutrient program more is not better!

36 Introduction to the California Almond Industry David Doll UCCE Farm Advisor Merced County, CA

37 Background: California Production Commercially grown for over 100 years, 500,000 ha Water system provides adequate irrigation Largest coordinated pollination event in world Price, Highly mechanize, reduction of input costs driving growth

38 Background: California Production 600 Production area (1000 ha) Introduction Development Initial Varieties Selected Plantings in rough ground, almond rootstocks Establishment Industry Transition Deep soil, irrigated plantings, peach rootstocks Expansion Formation of grower assessed commodity board, new rootstocks Stabilization Expansion Research and trials Dividends of with new rootstocks, increasing market, irrigation systems, good price dealing with marketing headwinds Expansion due to profitability over other ag systems, reduced input costs

39 CA Almonds: Acreage and Production Trends Bearing ha Production Area (ha) Expansion Stabilization Expansion Non-bearing ha Total ha Newly Planted ha

40 CA Almonds: Acreage and Production Trends Production area (1000 ha) Expansion Stabilization Market Redevelopment Researching of new technologies Expansion Increased Plantings Increasing Yields/ha Tighter Spacings Reduced Pruning Micro-irrigation systems Better Nutrient Management Production (1000 tons)

41 CA Almonds: Production and Price Trends Production (1000 tons) Expansion Stabilization Re-starting of marketing and nutrition research Bad Fat Era Expansion Market Expansion International Market - Developing Countries 2 Good Fat Era Healthy Claim as result from research Price per kg (USD)

42 CA Almonds: Farm Value Trends Gross income/ ha USD (Adjusted 2016 CPI) Expansion Stabilization Expansion Increased Revenue from gains in production AND marketing! 0

43 CA Almonds: Farm Value Trends Year Statewide AVG Yield Unadjusted Cost/kg (USD) 2016 CPI Adjusted Cost/kg (USD) kg/ha kg/ha kg/ha kg/ha Decreasing input costs due to mechanization, labor reduction Dilution of expenses over greater yields/ha

44 California Almond Varieties Nonpareil Independence Carmel Monterey Butte Padre Fritz Aldrich Wood Colony Mission Price Sonora Others

45 California Almond Varieties: Independence Variety Characteristics Early harvesting (Nonpareil or earlier timing) Compatible with most if not all almond varieties, long bloom Large kernel, good crackout Precocious, upright structure but smaller tree Some disease susceptibility Can produce without bees, but increase yields with the presence of some bees

46 Almond Industry Development: Canopy Management The best orchards alternate around this line 4000 at 80% interception 2500 at 50% int.

47 Almond Industry Development: Canopy Management

48 Almond Tree Nutrition

49 Almond Tree Nitrogen Demand 90% of Annual Demand 10% of Annual Demand

50 Almond Nitrogen Timing Should be soil dependent Sandier soils should wait until leaf out Clay, Silt, Loam soils may apply earlier 80% should be delivered before hull-split, 20% in the post harvest Majority should be prior to kernel fill Example program: 20% Sept, 30% Oct, 30% Nov, 20% Feb/March

51 UC Nitrogen Rate Study Methods: Trees were 8-10 years old, excellent productivity Each treatment had 15 trees, 6 blocks Nitrogen was sourced using CAN-17, UAN-32 N applied in 4 fertigations 20%, 30%, 30%, and 20% for February, April, June, and October, respectively Leaf samples were pulled at multiple times Trees were harvested, and individual tree yields were determined for all data trees, 4 lb sub-samples were collected from two data trees/plot and cracked out to determine kernel weights from field weights

52 UC Nitrogen Rate Study: Yield Effect UAN 32 CAN 17 Year Irrigation 125 lbs 200 lbs 275 lbs 350 lbs 125 lbs 200 lbs 275 lbs 350 lbs 2009 Drip 2689 b 2977 b 3327 ab 3507 a 2512 b 2634 b 3064 b 3605 a Fanjet 2776 b 3111 ab 3263 ab 3380 a Drip 2859 c 3426 bc 3909 ab 4332 a 2624 c 3191 bc 3967 ab 3995 a Fanjet 2872 b 3581 a 3810 a 3776 a 3030 b 3410 ab 3993 a 3898 a 2011 Drip 3811 c 4272 b 4643 a 4735 a 3640 c 4336 b 4864 a 4852 a Fanjet 3870 b 4014 b 4480 a 4425 a 3803 c 4159 b 4452 a 4398 a P<0.05, differing letters mean Conclusions: different statistical groupings Maximal yields reached with 275 lb, no gain from 350 lb treatment; No difference between nitrogen source No difference between irrigation system

53 UC Nitrogen Rate Study: Nitrogen Removal Nutrient accumulation by 1000 kernel lbs (lbs) Mid-July: 128 DAFB Harvest: 156 DAFB Days after Full Bloom

54 UC Nitrogen Rate Study: Nitrogen Removal Site Variety Year Modesto (185 lbs/acre) Madera (250 lbs/acre) Arbuckle (190 lbs/acre) Belridge 2 (275 lbs/acre) N Removed/1000 kernel lbs Nonpareil Nonpareil Nonpreil 2009 * Nonpareil Average N removed/1000 kernel lbs 62 lbs (assume ~68)

55 UC Nitrogen Rate Study: Nitrogen Use Coefficient NUE = Nitrogen Removed Nitrogen Applied N Rate (lb/ac) Drip Fan Jet Almond NUE ~70%

56 Bringing it All Together: Determining Total Crop Demand in lbs N Expected yield divided by 1000 and multiplied by 62 Subtract nitrogen applied through water Nitrate-nitrogen (ppm) x acre inches applied x Leaf Tissue Based Adjustment If April N concentrations exceed 3.5%, it is likely that June fertilization can be omitted Determining N application rate Subtract N applied through water from crop demand, multiply by 1.4 (assumes 70% efficiency factor) Timing of application should vary by soil type. More feeds, the better

57 Developing Almond Orchards Nitrogen needs look to be around pounds for growth Needs to be added to crop requirements For mature trees (10+ years), enough slack in calculations to make up for growth Be careful with the rate

58 Merced Trials First Year Almond Fertilization 45 Change in Trunk Diameter (mm) Pounds of Nitrogen/Acre Conventional 120 Day Controlled Release 180 Day Controlled Release

59 Almond Potassium Needs: What does K do in plants? Large amount of processes Enzyme activation Photosynthesis Sugar translocation Protein and starch synthesis Stomatal Conductance Photo from cestanislaus.ucanr.edu Major nutrient within plants!

60 Potassium in Almonds Reidel, et al, ABC

61 Potassium in Almonds? Reidel, et al, ABC

62 Potassium Deficiency in Almond Reduces growth, spur longevity and formation Reduction of floral buds and yield Does NOT affect nut size or PERCENTAGE of nut set Deficiency in new growth, off-colored, tip and subterminal margins will become necrotic, folded leaf and curled tip Photo from IPNI

63 July almond leaf tissue sampling index. Leaf % K Tree K status <1.0 % K Deficient % K Insufficient >1.4% K Sufficient % K Orchard Target?

64 Potassium Sufficiency in Almonds Courtesy of R. Duncan, UCCE Stanislaus

65 Potassium Sufficiency in Almonds Courtesy of R. Duncan, UCCE Stanislaus

66 Potassium Uptake in Almonds K accumulation is linear 70% of season s accumulation occurs by mid-june (119 dpb) Uptake not influenced by N rate Luxury Consumption occurs

67 Potassium Removal in Almonds Muhammad et al, 2012 Potassium Removal = 76 lbs/1000 kernel lbs!

68 Quick Clarification! Removal is documented in pounds of potassium Potassium is sold as pounds of K 2 0 Lbs of actual potassium removed needs to be converted to Simple math: Lbs of K X 1.2 = K 2 0 Example: 76 lbs of K removed equals 91.2 lbs of K 2 0 Image source: /10/potash.jpg?w=620

69 Different K strategies for application. Practice Dormant Applications Banding of gypsum to move potassium High CEC Soil (>15 meq/100 g of soil) Yes can be slugged on Yes, if heavy clay Low CEC soil (<15 meq/100g of soil) Yes but only partial budget NO In-Season Applications Yes, if needed Yes % of the budget Fertigation of K Yes Yes be cautious of large applications (toxicity) Foliar Applications Yes Yes

70 Phosphorous use within almonds P removal rates are around 11 kg P2O5 per ton; Generally, CA soils aren t P deficient and therefore not applied; Applications should be made to soil either with dry or liquid sources

71 Tissue Sampling Recommendations Tissues should be sampled to determine sufficiency levels 2 sampling periods suggested: Mid Jan. Provides sufficiency levels for all nutrients Hull Analysis Boron sufficiency levels Needs to follow a specific protocol (2-3 non fruiting spurs from 20 trees, 30 meters apart)

72 Determining Rates/Needs - Almonds Mid Summer Leaf Nutrient Analysis (Mid-Jan) Element Critical Value Suggested Range Nitrogen (N) 1.8% % Phosphorous (P) 0.10% % Potassium (K) 0.8% % Calcium (Ca) - 2.0% Magnesium (Mg) 0.25% - Boron (B) 30 ppm ppm Zinc (Zn) 15 ppm ppm Copper (Cu) 4 ppm 6-10 ppm Sodium (Na) Not established <0.25% Chlorine (Cl) Not established <0.3%

73 Almonds and Boron A hull analysis should be conducted to determine ppm Leaf tissue values do not correlate with hull boron <80 PPM indicates deficiency, significantly reducing yield Soil applied boron (2-4 kg/ha) when deficient; Foliar applied boron ( kg/ha) should be applied annually

74 Almonds and Zinc Zinc deficiency is common, especially with Nemaguard or high ph soils Foliar sprays should be considered Soil applications have value in acidic soils if not planted on Nemaguard

75 Questions?