This time we visit a pistachio plantation in Ávila.
We have already dedicated an article to pistachio cultivation and On the map it can be seen how the southern provinces of Castilla y León, despite having a somewhat conditioned climate, are increasingly betting on pistachio plantations.
Young pistachio plantations are being a new form of cultivation for many farmers, who are committed to an investment in the future.
The pistachio in Ávila
The province of Ávila adapts in almost all parameters to the production of pistachio, except for the risk of late frosts in spring and out-of-season rains.
The months of March, April and May can be highly variable, presenting averages that can vary between 7 and 15 degrees and the night temperature decreasing considerably. This negatively influences the flowering of the pistachio.
Also the autumns can be variable and alter production.
Another factor to consider is the north wind. It influences plantations that should have a border with more male pistachios to improve pollination as we already explained in another article.
Finally, the summer climate is hot with high daytime temperatures that favor perspiration and therefore can exert water stress on the plant that alters the normal growth of the fruit. Although the pistachio par excellence is a plant that acclimates well to extreme temperatures of very cold winters and hot summers.
The implementation of a drip irrigation controlled by sensors is more than recommended. It favors the development of production and quality.
Future of the pistachio in Castilla y León
Pistachio cultivation in this Community is scarce. We see some plantations in Salamanca, Ávila, Segovia, Zamora, Palencia and Valladolid. The oldest plantation in the Community is in Tagarabuena in the province of Zamora.
As it is not a very deep-rooted crop, pruning courses are being held, which is the only difficulty it presents.
The downside that farmers have, in addition to the climate, is that the pistachio has a waiting time for production of about six or seven years.
Good marketing and high market demand is what encourages its plantation.
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