California
Representative warm-season temperature is 26.2°C, inside the 25–35°C optimum. Annual rainfall is 439 mm, inside the 400–700 mm optimum rainfall band.
Compared on representative regional temperature and rainfall.
Commercial crop requirements
Growing Pistachio: climate, soil and water requirements
Pistachio has an optimum temperature range of 25–35°C within an absolute 12–40°C envelope.
Its profile calls for 700 mm of seasonal water and an optimum soil pH of 7–8.
How to read the figures
Profile figures come from the source cited at the foot of this page. Regional figures are representative reference values, not coordinate-level measurements.
Climate envelope
Use the optimum band for screening normal crop development and the absolute range as an outer tolerance boundary. Accumulated heat still depends on the local planting window and daily temperatures.
| Requirement | Profile value |
|---|---|
| Optimum temperature | 25–35°C |
| Absolute temperature range | 12–40°C |
| Heat to maturity | 1,300 growing degree days above a 7°C base |
| Photoperiod | Long-day response; 12-hour critical daylength |
| Vernalisation | Required; no duration is supplied |
| Established-plant cold-hardiness limit | -25°C |
Soil and pH
| Requirement | Profile value |
|---|---|
| Optimum pH | 7–8 |
| Tolerated pH range | 6–8.5 |
| Waterlogging tolerance | Intolerant |
An intolerant rating means drainage is a screening constraint. Check infiltration, perched-water risk, field outlets and the duration of saturation before committing land.
Water
| Requirement | Profile value |
|---|---|
| Seasonal water requirement | 700 mm |
| Optimum rainfall band | 400–700 mm |
| Absolute rainfall range | 250–1,100 mm |
Irrigation becomes necessary when effective in-season rainfall is below the 700 mm seasonal requirement. Convert that gap into a field schedule only after accounting for soil water storage, application efficiency and local rainfall timing.
Nitrogen demand
The profile assigns Pistachio nitrogen-demand category 3, which translates to moderate demand. It is a relative category, not a fertiliser rate.
Set the field program from soil and tissue evidence, expected removals, prior-crop effects and local nutrient rules.
Crop-level reference profile
| Requirement | Profile value |
|---|---|
| Average yield | 1.27 t/ha reference average |
| Growing period | Not derived: the heat requirement for this crop does not describe a single season |
Where it grows well
These examples pass a stated temperature or rainfall comparison using representative regional values. Regional screening, not parcel-level.
Texas
Representative warm-season temperature is 28°C, inside the 25–35°C optimum. Annual rainfall is 600 mm, inside the 400–700 mm optimum rainfall band.
Compared on representative regional temperature and rainfall.
Regional guides
Research basis
These papers support the qualitative interpretation of the crop profile. No paper-derived figure is used on this page; the named crop and region fields remain the only sources of displayed agronomic numbers.
- Deficit irrigation without reducing yield or nut splitting in pistachio (Pistacia vera cv Kerman on Pistacia terebinthus L.)
Applied water can be reduced at some stages without penalty, so irrigation is a timing decision rather than a single seasonal total.
- Quantifying reductions in consumptive water use under regulated deficit irrigation in pistachio (Pistacia vera L.)
Measured consumptive use under deficit scheduling supports treating the profile water figure as a reference, not a prescription.
Taking this to a field decision
This profile cannot set planting depth, row spacing, seeding rate, cultivar choice, fertiliser rate, harvest timing, irrigation schedule or drainage design. Those decisions depend on cultivar, local practice and field conditions.
Use a coordinate-level audit, local field evidence and commercial terms before a land or lending decision.
Crop profile source
Wikidata & Literature (Uriu et al., 1962).