CROP NUTRITION
Pistachios.
Plan by growth stage.
Explore a seasonal NABTA product example for mature pistachios, with growth-stage timing, stage quantities and separate application amounts.
Planning example for agronomic review. These calculations use stated assumptions and are not field-validated NABTA recommendations. Adjust for block tests, crop load, water nutrients, salinity and irrigation capacity before field use. Use current product labels.
Mature-acre rates do not apply to young plantings. Missing information is identified in each program. No yield guarantee or UC endorsement is implied.
Pistachios · on yearView growth stages, NABTA rates & application timing
Illustrative feeding program · agronomic review required
Example block: 4,000.0 lb marketable CPC nuts/ac; 120 trees/ac. Mature commercial planting with zero assumed soil, water or other nutrient credits.
Seasonal fertilizer nitrogen142.0 lb K2O/ac
Seasonal potassium budget232.9 lb Ca/ac
Calcium supplied by CALTRATE
How to read this schedule: bold amounts are total product pounds per acre for the entire stage. Divide them across the separate applications shown. Dates are approximate; use actual crop stage. All rates shown are for root-zone fertigation, not foliar spraying.
| Growth stage / timing | NABTA CALTRATE 15.5-0-0 + Ca19 | NABTA SOP 0-0-52 |
|---|---|---|
| DormancyBefore leaf-out | No routine application0 lb/ac in this example | No routine application0 lb/ac in this example |
| Leaf-outLate Mar–Apr | 245.2 lb/acStage total: 9 separate applications × 27.2 lb/ac each | No routine application0 lb/ac in this example |
| Fruit growthMay | 367.7 lb/acStage total: 13 separate applications × 28.3 lb/ac each | 109.2 lb/acStage total: 6 separate applications × 18.2 lb/ac each |
| Early kernel fillJun | 183.9 lb/acStage total: 7 separate applications × 26.3 lb/ac each | 109.2 lb/acStage total: 6 separate applications × 18.2 lb/ac each |
| Kernel fillJul | 183.9 lb/acStage total: 7 separate applications × 26.3 lb/ac each | 54.6 lb/acStage total: 3 separate applications × 18.2 lb/ac each |
| Fruit maturityAug to early hull split | 245.2 lb/acStage total: 9 separate applications × 27.2 lb/ac each | No routine application0 lb/ac in this example |
| Postharvest / leaf fallNo routine N in this example | No routine application0 lb/ac in this example | No routine application0 lb/ac in this example |
Assumptions & adjustments
- N = yield × 0.028 + 21 lb/ac growth, divided by assumed 70% recovery after credits.
- K = yield × 0.029 + 26 lb/ac growth. N 20/30/30/20 and K 40/40/20 use UC/CDFA timing guidance.
- The kernel-fill N allocation is divided between June and July here. Rebudget after May tissue and crop assessment.
- No routine phosphorus or micronutrient dose is included. These examples assume adequate phosphorus; other nutrients require diagnostic evidence.
- Application counts are arithmetic subdivisions using 30 lb CALTRATE/ac and 20 lb SOP/ac as maximum example event sizes. Confirm current label directions, irrigation frequency, injection capacity, EC and calcium loading. Do not add irrigation solely to fit the schedule.
Product compatibility: apply CALTRATE separately from SOP, MKP, LIB and other phosphate or sulfate solutions, with appropriate flushing. Confirm the current California registration and label for SOP before purchase or use; its current status has not been verified for this example.
Research basis: UC / CDFA crop nutrition reference. Product analyses: CALTRATE label reference · SOP label reference. These references do not imply UC endorsement of NABTA products.
Print / Save PDFDiscuss Your Pistachios · on year ProgramPistachios · off yearView growth stages, NABTA rates & application timing
Illustrative feeding program · agronomic review required
Example block: 1,500.0 lb marketable CPC nuts/ac; 120 trees/ac. Mature commercial planting with zero assumed soil, water or other nutrient credits.
Seasonal fertilizer nitrogen69.5 lb K2O/ac
Seasonal potassium budget110.3 lb Ca/ac
Calcium supplied by CALTRATE
How to read this schedule: bold amounts are total product pounds per acre for the entire stage. Divide them across the separate applications shown. Dates are approximate; use actual crop stage. All rates shown are for root-zone fertigation, not foliar spraying.
| Growth stage / timing | NABTA CALTRATE 15.5-0-0 + Ca19 | NABTA SOP 0-0-52 |
|---|---|---|
| DormancyBefore leaf-out | No routine application0 lb/ac in this example | No routine application0 lb/ac in this example |
| Leaf-outLate Mar–Apr | 145.2 lb/acStage total: 5 separate applications × 29.0 lb/ac each | No routine application0 lb/ac in this example |
| Fruit growthMay; before shell hardening | 145.2 lb/acStage total: 5 separate applications × 29.0 lb/ac each | 53.5 lb/acStage total: 3 separate applications × 17.8 lb/ac each |
| Early summerJun | No routine application0 lb/ac in this example | 53.5 lb/acStage total: 3 separate applications × 17.8 lb/ac each |
| Summer growthJul | 145.2 lb/acStage total: 5 separate applications × 29.0 lb/ac each | 26.7 lb/acStage total: 2 separate applications × 13.4 lb/ac each |
| Late summerAug | 145.2 lb/acStage total: 5 separate applications × 29.0 lb/ac each | No routine application0 lb/ac in this example |
| Postharvest / leaf fallSep onward; no routine N | No routine application0 lb/ac in this example | No routine application0 lb/ac in this example |
Assumptions & adjustments
- Same nutrient coefficients as the on-year case, but lower illustrative yield. Account for reserves and alternate bearing.
- UC suggests half the N before shell hardening and half in July–August; this draft divides each half equally.
- No September N is planned. K applications follow the UC May/June/July 40/40/20 split.
- No routine phosphorus or micronutrient dose is included. These examples assume adequate phosphorus; other nutrients require diagnostic evidence.
- Application counts are arithmetic subdivisions using 30 lb CALTRATE/ac and 20 lb SOP/ac as maximum example event sizes. Confirm current label directions, irrigation frequency, injection capacity, EC and calcium loading. Do not add irrigation solely to fit the schedule.
Product compatibility: apply CALTRATE separately from SOP, MKP, LIB and other phosphate or sulfate solutions, with appropriate flushing. Confirm the current California registration and label for SOP before purchase or use; its current status has not been verified for this example.
Research basis: UC / CDFA crop nutrition reference. Product analyses: CALTRATE label reference · SOP label reference. These references do not imply UC endorsement of NABTA products.
Print / Save PDFDiscuss Your Pistachios · off year ProgramPlan for your own block.
Include crop and variety, acreage, planting age, expected yield, irrigation method and recent test results. Ask about current product supply or a specialty blend.
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