Pistachio (Pistacia vera) is one of the oldest cultivated fruit species and grows in
subtropical and temperate climates. It is one of the most important agricultural crops in
several countries, including the United States, Iran, Türkiye, and countries in the Middle
East. Although pistachio is drought tolerant, an adequate water supply, particularly during
kernel development, and well drained soil are required to achieve high and good quality
yields.To break dormancy and ensure proper flowering, pistachio requires 500 to 1,000
chilling hours at temperatures between 0 °C and 7.2 °C. It is highly tolerant of temperature
extremes, surviving temperatures from –20 °C to 50 °C, although it performs best in hot,
dry summers and cool winters. The optimal temperature for growth is between 25 °C and
35 °C. Pistachio requires full sunlight and well drained soils with a deep groundwater
table (at least 1.5 m below the surface). It can grow on various soil types, although sandy
loam soils are considered the most suitable. Although pistachio is a typical crop of arid
and semi-arid regions with saline soils, numerous studies have shown that salt stress
inhibits its growth and development by reducing photosynthesis, respiration, protein
synthesis, and consequently biomass production, particularly in more sensitive cultivars.
The optimal soil pH ranges from 6.5 to 7.5. In Slovenia, six potential locations for
pistachio cultivation were evaluated based on average air temperatures and precipitation.
Among this locations, Bilje and Portorož appeared the most promising, however, their
suitability cannot be confirmed without assessing winter chill, growing season heat
accumulation, water balance, and soil conditions, which we did not do.
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