Researchers at the University of California, Davis have generated a chromosome-scale reference genome for the most widely grown pistachio cultivar ‘Kerman.’
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Pistachio (Pistacia vera) is a sustainable nut crop with exceptional climate resilience and nutritional value. Image credit: NoName_13.
Pistachio (Pistacia vera) belongs to the Anacardiaceae family, along with cashew and mango, and is the only species in the genus Pistacia grown for its edible fruit.
Although commonly known as nuts, pistachio fruits are botanically dehiscent drupes consisting of three main tissues: a leathery exo-mesocarp (hull), a stony endocarp (shell), and an edible seed (kernel).
Pistachios are rich in unsaturated fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins.
Given that pistachio trees are highly resilient to abiotic stress, particularly drought and salinity, they are projected to be an important source of sustainable nutrition in the face of climate change over the next century, with global production of pistachios having more than doubled over the past two decades.
“Scientists have sequenced the DNA of pistachios before, but the new genetic map is vastly more detailed and accurate,” said Dr. J. Grey Monroe, a researcher at the University of California, Davis.
“The improvement in accuracy of the new reference genome is like going from a hand-drawn map of a landscape to a satellite image from Google Earth.”
The authors also identified four key stages of nut growth from flower to harvest, providing a complete physiological assessment, including shell hardening and kernel growth.
“Knowing how the nut changes through development will help farmers make better decisions, like when to water their trees, leading to more sustainable pistachio production,” said Dr. Bárbara Blanco-Ulate, also from the University of California, Davis.
“A more accurate assessment of its development could also help provide growers better strategies for harvest and avoid issues such as insect damage and fungal infections.
“It was important to also detail not just the physical changes of the pistachios, but also the genetic and molecular drivers of those characteristics.”
“The genomic sequence includes precedent-setting information on how different genes behave in nuts over the growing season.”
The researchers also identified genes and pathways that influence the nutritional value of pistachios.
This includes insights into how protein and unsaturated fatty acids accumulate, which is crucial for both their shelf life and dietary benefits.
“We’re getting information about how all these nutritional characteristics are gained in pistachios and how we can improve that from a management perspective,” Dr. Blanco-Ulate said.
The findings were published in the journal New Phytologist.
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Jaclyn A. Adaskaveg et al. In a nutshell: pistachio genome and kernel development. New Phytologist, published online March 19, 2025; doi: 10.1111/nph.70060
