Improving the Pistachio Growing in Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan

Abstract

Central Asia is one of the gene centers of pistachio (Pistacia vera L). They grow naturally as P. vera forests and are good for the prevention of erosion. P. vera trees grow normally in areas where the rainfall is below 200 mm/year. Wild pistachio trees used to protect dams’ basin and to create forests are more suitable to transform the forest to cultural orchards. In Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan about 150 thousand hectares of wild pistachio exist. Different types and abundance of pistachio are found under natural growth or seed sown and with the selection in these areas, new and high-quality pistachio cultivars can be obtained for world pistachio market. When the present areas are transformed to pistachio orchards, product may be obtained after the 3-4 years. Production is expected to add economy of both countries. Uzbek and Turkmen technical experts, who were educated for pistachio production in their country, as well as the Pistachio Research Institute in Turkey, by Turkish experts. However, there are legal and the techniques problems in these countries that need to be taken care of, regarding the agricultural development of pistachio