Characterization of nut species of Afghanistan: II - Pistachio


Kaska N., Kafkas S., Padulosi S., Wassimi N., Ak B. E.

4th International Symposium on Pistachios and Almonds, Tehran, Iran, 22 - 25 May 2005, pp.157-159 identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Conference Paper / Full Text
  • Volume:
  • Doi Number: 10.17660/actahortic.2006.726.24
  • City: Tehran
  • Country: Iran
  • Page Numbers: pp.157-159
  • Çukurova University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

In the mountains of northern Afghanistan there are big forests of pistachio trees. Although pistachio nuts obtained from these forests are very valuable and they are exported to neighbouring countries in significant quantities, to our knowledge they were not extensively studied pomologically. In this work, pistachio nuts collected from different regions of Afghanistan were subjected to comprehensive pomological analysis as well as chlorophyll and fat and fatty acids analysis. Most of the nuts are green kernelled and rich in unsaturated fat and fatty acids. Among the selected wild trees, there are very productive ones. During our trips, we have observed that during the continuous long internal wars, many pistachio trees had been destroyed. Since they were not grafted or budded, new young trees were emerged from their remaining stems and they showed the same nut characteristics as their parents. In these forests there are only Pistacia vera L. species but no the other Pistacia speceis. In Afghanistan, pistachios are grown in the natural forests; and, the nuts can be considered as organic. Therefore, pistachio has potential for a unique source of foreign exchange. From the point of view of yield, green kernels, single species and healthy trees, these forests are very important for the pistachio culture of the world.