ISHS Acta Horticulturae 470: II International Symposium on Pistachios and Almonds
THE SICILIAN PISTACHIO INDUSTRY: AN OVERVIEW |
| Authors: | A. Fabbri, C. Valenti |
| Keywords: | Pistacia spp., cultivation, review |
| Abstract:
The pistachio industry in Italy is concentrated in the Southern island of Sicily, mainly in two small towns, Bronte and Adrano, along the western slopes of Mt. Etna. The most peculiar characteristic of pistachio cultivation in this area is its location on poor soils that are unsuitable for other fruit crops. The plants are grafted on P. terebinthus seedlings, a spontaneous species of the Mediterranean maquis, whose root system is particularly suited to the lava-rich soils and is unsurpassed as a rootstock in this environment. Irrigation is very rare, although a modest water supply may double production. The only cultivars utilized, "Bianca" or "Napoletana", produce high quality fruits in terms of color and organoleptic properties. These quality characteristics allow the survival of a fruit crop that would otherwise be marginal. This paper also gives statistical information on pistachio production in the region. | |
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