Pistachio Genome Sequenced by Scientists

Researcher of University of California, Davis We generated the chromosomal scale reference genome of the most widely grown pistachio variety, “Kerman.”

pistachio(Pistasia Bella)) Along with cashews and mangoes, it belongs to the family of the Anacardia family and is the only species of the genus. Pistasia It is grown for edible fruits.

Although commonly known as nuts, pistachio fruit is a plant-based heat-deficient collision consisting of leathery exomesocarps, inner stone inner membrane (shell), and edible seeds (kanel).

Pistachios are rich in unsaturated fatty acids, antioxidants and vitamins.

Given the highly resilient resilience to abiotic stress, particularly drought and salt, pistachio trees are predicted to be an important source of sustainable nutrition in the face of next-generation climate change, with global production of pistachios more than doubled in the past 20 years.

“Scientists have previously sequenced pistachio DNA, but the new genetic maps are very detailed and accurate,” says Dr. J. Greymonroe, a researcher at the University of California, Davis.

“Improved accuracy of the new reference genome is like moving from hand-drawn maps of the landscape to satellite images from Google Earth.”

The authors also identified four important stages of nut growth from flower to harvest, providing a complete physiological assessment, including shell hardening and kernel growth.

“Knowing how nuts change through development will help farmers make better decisions, such as when to water the trees, leading to more sustainable pistachio production,” said Dr. Bárbara Blanco-lute, University of California, Davis.

“A more accurate assessment of its development will also provide growers with a better strategy for harvesting and help avoid problems such as insect damage and fungal infections.

“It was important to detail not only the physical changes in pistachios, but also the genetic and molecular drivers of those properties.”

“Genome sequencing contains precedent configuration information on how different genes behave in nuts over the growing season.”

Researchers also identified genes and pathways that affect the nutritional value of pistachios.

This includes insight into how proteins and unsaturated fatty acids accumulate. This is important for both shelf life and dietary benefits.

“We get information on how all of these nutritional properties can be obtained with pistachios and how they can be improved from a management perspective,” Dr. Blanco Raul said.

Survey results Published in the journal New Botanist.

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Jaclyn A. Adaskaveg et al. In short, the development of the pistachio genome and kernel. New BotanistPublished online on March 19, 2025. doi: 10.1111/nph.70060