Pacific Nut Producer Magazine

Category: Pistachios

  • Alternaria Management in Pistachio (As Summarized in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine June Orchard Tasks)

    By the time you will read this article, pistachio nuts have almost completed 80% of the final size and their ovary is still small getting ready to start increasing its size to completion by the end of July. June is considered still too early to start seen early-split (ES) nuts. These will start showing in the second part of July and will continue developing even close to harvest.

    June is the month when management of Alternaria late blight disease typically begins. However, before getting into the management of the disease let us understand, how, when, and why this disease develops in a pistachio orchard. There is a span of 2 months window (June and July) for the critical sprays that can control Alternaria late blight disease of pistachio. Alternaria late blight, as the name indicates, is caused by Alternaria species, the most common being Alternaria alternata. This species is ubiquitous in nature and can grow as pathogen in live tissues (leaves and fruit) and as secondary in orchard debris. In pistachio, the disease causes necrotic lesions in the surface of leaves where the pathogen produces abundant windborne spores  under high humidity conditions in the orchard. A diagnostic feature of the Alternaria leaf lesions is the blackening of fingers after rubbing the sporulating lesions. Fruit also can be infected by Alternaria, especially those of late, second, or third harvests. In addition, if a rain occurs in late season, more disease will develop. That was the case during the tropical storm Hilary that occurred in the first half of August, resulting in severe outbreak of Alternaria late blight in pistachio orchards, even in areas historically characterized as “disease-free” under normal weather conditions in California (i.e., Westside). The fruit infection (decay) was so severe (Figure 1) that a grower admitted or reported?  a 25% loss of his crop, although he had harvested twice this orchard. In addition to Alternaria blight, in the Terra Bella area where some orchards used to have some Botryosphaeria panicle and shoot blight, the disease developed in very high levels after the storm.

    Figure 1. Main Alternaria late blight symptoms on pistachio: rot lesions on fruit (following the August 2023 Tropical Storm Hilary), necrotic lesions on leaves , and a closeup of large and small black Alternaria lesions.

    A Brief Summary on Disease Development

    Although less frequent, Alternaria spp., like Botryosphaeria spp. can cause latent infection in the spring when rains wet the fruit and leaves and spores germinate to establish infections without any expression of symptoms. As leaves mature and start senescing, latent infections will be activated first producing very large necrotic brown lesions that will be covered with black spores. Wind mainly and rain spreads the spores causing a plethora of smaller lesions. The development of large and multiple small lesions per leaf results in defoliation of leaflets or entire leaves. Rain is not necessary for Alternaria to develop. High relative humidity in the orchard is sufficient for causing latent infection and expression of symptoms. Although Alternaria late blight develops symptoms initially on the leaves, fruit can also decay from Alternaria infection of the hulls, but by the first harvest, not much disease will have developed.

    Susceptibility to Disease

    If you have Golden Hills expect to have earlier and more severe symptoms than symptoms on Kerman. In an experimental field at the Kearney Agric. Research and Extension Center 3.5 acres of pistachios are planted in a design of 2 rows each Kerman alternating with 2 rows of Golden Hills. After infection and symptom development severe defoliation occurred in the Golden Hills rather in Kerman trees (Figure 2). We do not know the basis for the higher susceptibility of Golden Hills to Alternaria late blight, perhaps leaves mature earlier as does the fruit in this variety and thus the disease shows up much earlier and defoliates the trees excessively.

    Figure 2. Alternaria late blight symptoms (leaf lesions and defoliation) of Kerman (left) and Golden Hills (right) trees photographed at the same time (15 September 2023) in an Experimental pistachio orchard at the Kearney Agric. Research and Extension Center in Parlier, California.

    Weather Conditions Favoring Disease  

    As mentioned above high relative humidity favors Alternaria late blight disease and that is why under normal dry conditions in the summer the disease develops in certain areas with micro-climatic conditions. For instance, in certain locations where mature orchards may have overlapping tree canopies, ventilation in the orchard is reduced and the relative humidity is high, regardless of the orchard irrigation (drip or micro-sprinkler irrigation). A good recommendation then for new plantings is to plant the rows of trees N to S orientation so that when trees develop their full canopy, the N to S prevailing wind will move easier and faster throughout the orchard than when the rows of trees are planted East to West. In mature orchards, a wise recommendation will be to do hedging of the trees to open a ventilation path between the tree rows of the orchard. A late rain that will provide excess water on mature leaves and nuts will be detrimental, causing severe Alternaria late blight. Severe Alternaria late blight on nuts will result in not harvestable nuts, and in fact, those harvested will have severe brown staining of the shell, thus significantly reducing the nut quality.

    Fruit Load & Alternaria Late Blight

    In previous research, we showed that Alternaria lesions develop first in leaves of shoots that bear fruit; in the contrary, Alternaria lesions developed much later in leaves of shoots not bearing any fruit. Several years ago, we quantified the Alternaria disease as relates to the fruit load of shoots in an orchard in Kings County and found out that by mid-August, 45% of the leaves in shoots with fruit had Alternaria lesions, while at the same time only 11% of the leaves had Alternaria lesions in shoot not bearing any fruit. Also, in “on” production years, shoots heavily loaded with fruit start resulting in some yellowing of leaves, due to the high nutrient demand of the sink (fruit load). Thus, those stressed leaves are more susceptible to be infected by A. alternata. Therefore, it is expected to have more severe Alternaria late blight disease in “on” production years than in “off” production years. We suggest keeping the pistachio’s nutrients in optimal levels throughout the growing season.

    Management of Alternaria Late Blight of Pistachio  

    Efficacy trials over multiple years provided results that helped the registration of many fungicides for the control of Alternaria late blight. These fungicides belong in five FRAC groups, 3, 7, 9, 11, and 19. In addition, pre-mixture fungicides that contain combinations of these FRAC groups showed excellent efficacy against Alternaria blight (see fungicide efficacy tables at https://ipm.ucanr.edu/legacy_assets/pdf/pmg/fungicideefficacytiming.pdf).  One of the fungicides (Viathon) is a mixture of tebuconazole (FRAC 3) and phosphonate (P07, 33).

    Figure 3. Frequency of mutants (mutation G143A) conferring resistance of Alternaria alternata causing Alternaria late blight of pistachio to strobilurin fungicides (QoI, FRAC 11) in leaf samples collected from 20 orchards in San Joaquin and Sacramento Valleys in California.
    Figure 4. Frequency of mutants (all mutations) conferring resistance of Alternaria alternata causing Alternaria late blight of pistachio to dehydrogenase inhibitor fungicides (SDHI, FRAC 7) in leaf samples collected from 20 orchards in San Joaquin and northern Sacramento Valleys in California.

    The discovery of new effective fungicides that belong to the FRAC groups mentioned above, usually leads to excellent disease control  (rating 5) in the first 2-3 years. However, because most of these compounds are site specific and the resistance risk is high, eventually in subsequent years they become less efficacious in controlling Alternaria late blight. Despite the application of fungicides to control this disease, the frequency of Alternaria late blight samples brought to our lab by pest control advisors has increased exponentially in the last several years. This situation made us hypothesize that perhaps the resistance to the major fungicide FRAC groups might have become widespread. To find out if this contention was true, an extensive survey was initiated to determine what is going on. Samples of leaves (i.e. with lesions of Alternaria) (Figure 1) were collected from each of 20 orchards surveyed in southern and central San Joaquin Valley and the northern Sacramento Valley, brought to the laboratory and processed using the molecular qPCR procedure. Briefly, in this procedure lesions from each sample are blended, the DNA of Alternaria alternata is extracted, and by using specific primers, we can quantify the specific mutation(s) that confer resistance to the major groups of fungicides. For instance, the samples initially were processed to determine the levels of resistance to FRAC 11 fungicides, frequently used in pistachio orchards to control Alternaria late blight. Indeed, high resistance levels to strobilurins were detected mainly in the eastern side of south and central San Joaquin Valley and northern Sacramento Valley, while no or low levels of resistance were detected in orchards of the west side of the southern and central San Joaquin Valley (Figure 3). Similarly, when tests were done to determine the resistance levels to SDHI fungicides in diseased leaves from the 20 surveyed orchards, again high levels of resistance were detected (Figure 4). Interestingly, and very similarly to the resistance levels observed for stobilurin fungicides, the resistance levels to SDHI fungicides were lower in orchards of the west side of southern and central San Joaquin Valley (Figure 5). An explanation for these low resistance levels could be that usually growers in the Westside do not spray for Alternaria, since Alternaria late blight disease does not develop there (dry and windy, and “disease free” region!)

    Figure 5. Frequency of mutants due to specific mutations conferring resistance of Alternaria alternata causing Alternaria late blight of pistachio to dehydrogenase inhibitor fungicides (SDHI, FRAC 7) in leaf samples collected from 20 orchards in San Joaquin and northern Sacramento Valleys in California. (Mutants with the H134R mutation are the dominant in all the fields, except, orchards #16, #17, and #18.) Interestingly, these orchards are located in the West Site/which is considered “disease-free” area.
    Figure 6. Fungicide efficacy trial in 2023 against Alternaria late blight of pistachio in an experimental pistachio orchard at the Kearney Agric. Research and Extension Center.

    Alternaria late blight is very difficult disease to control because the pathogen is very prone to resistance selection to fungicides. In fact, because a major portion of Alternaria alternata population is resistant to two major FRAC groups of fungicides, a grower, a pest control adviser, or a consultant needs to be careful with the fungicide program to follow in order to achieve the maximum degree of disease control. Alternations of FRAC groups and pre-mixed fungicides can be used, along with at least one triazole (FRAC 3) in the program.  In our 2023 fungicide efficacy trial experiment, we showed that the triazoles Cevya (i.e. mefentrifluconazole; registered) and the premixed Milbelya (i.e. mefentrifluconazole+ fluxapyroxad, FRAC 3/7; not registered yet), Luna Experience (i.e. tebuconazole+fluopyram, FRAC 3/7; registered) along with Miravis Prime (i.e. pydiflumetofen+fludioxonil, FRAC 7/12; registered) resulted in the least severe disease in an experimental orchard at Kearney Ag Research & Extension Center (Figure 6). This orchard has suffered from severe Alternaria late blight disease yearly.

    Timing of fungicide Treatments

    A grower or pest control advisor has three options regarding the timing of fungicide sprays for the control of Alternaria late blight.  The first option is to apply one spray as an insurance coverage of the orchard. This should be done in the first week of July (Remember Independence Day!). Certainly, the decision of using one spray is based on historical data about Alternaria late blight disease.  The second option would be 2 to 3 summer sprays. Sprays start beginning of June and end close to the end of July: 1st spray in early-June, 2nd spray in late June/early- July (best timing); and if high humidity is built up in the orchard due to the location and type of irrigation, then one more spray should be applied in mid- to late July. If any of these timings coincide with the timing of a NOW spray, you can combine these sprays in one, and thus save costs of tree spraying.  Please do not spray in August and afterwards; instead of reducing the disease, you may create conditions to increase the blight.

    The third option would be the use of a Disease Severity Value (DSV) model. For this there is a need to monitor leaf wetness and temperature in the orchard because combinations of those conditions determine when it is time for infections to occur, and therefore to spray.  However, because not every grower has a weather station in the orchards and because this is more complicated to explain, in order to avoid confusion at this point, I will leave this discussion for a future issue of Pacific Nut Producer.

    In summary, Alternaria late blight has become a major disease of pistachio in the last two decades, and it is a very difficult disease to control because the pathogen causing this disease, Alternaria alternata, is easily prone to fungicide resistance selection. The resistance levels were quantified in 2023 and found to be high and widespread among the main pistachio growing regions.  Therefore, major caution is required when one decides on the fungicide program to control this disease. In addition, using an integrated control approach (cultural practices +chemical applications) will be the best option in controlling Alternaria late blight of pistachio. — By Themis J. Michailides, Boris X. Camiletti*, and Victor Gabri

  • 5-Year Pistachio Crop Forecast Reveals Tremendous Growth

    At American Pistachio Growers annual Pistachio Industry Conference this year, Bob Klein, Manager of the California Pistachio Research Board, gave his final presentation before retiring with a five-year California pistachio crop-yield forecast.  The numbers were stunning with the tremendous growth of the industry and pistachio acreage expected to begin bearing. Pacific Nut Producer Editor Matthew Malcolm met with Bob to better understand the analytics and what the industry can expect for 2024 and beyond. Watch this brief interview and read more about it in the May issue of Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

  • Silverleaf Nightshade in Young Pistachio Orchards

    Silverleaf nightshade, Solanum Elaeagnifolium, is perennial weed that is native to South America, Mexico, American Southwest and Southern States. This herbaceous and woody summer weed belongs to Solanaceae just like other weeds such as black nightshade (Solanum nigrum), hairy nightshade (Solanum physalifolium) and horsenettle (Solanum carolinense). It can be found throughout California and in grows in desert and semi-arid areas. Silverleaf nightshade is often found growing in different cropping systems, rangeland, pastures, roadsides, and disturbed areas. Silverleaf nightshade is highly adaptable and can tolerate a wide range of soil and climatic conditions such as high temperatures, low rainfall, saline and drought conditions. The leaves and berries produced by silverleaf nightshade plants have glycoalkaloid compounds that can be toxic to livestock and humans if consumed (UC IPM) (Boyd 1982).

    Life Cycle

    Figure 4. Silverleaf nightshade (Solanum elaeagnifolium) Life Cycle. NSW Department of Primary Industries.

    One of the main reasons why silverleaf nightshade is difficult to control in orchard crops is due to its perennial life cycle. From early spring to late summer, silverleaf nightshade will germinate and emerge from seeds and rhizomes from previous year (Figure 4). In the summer and early fall, silverleaf nightshade will grow between 1-3 feet and produce deep violet flowers with yellow centers (UC IPM). During its flowering stage, Silverleaf nightshade produces widespread root systems that potentially can germinate new plants with wet soil moisture conditions. One silverleaf nightshade plant has the potential to produce about two hundred yellow to brown berries and each berry contains between 24 to 150 seeds (Roberts and Florentine 2022). In the winter, silverleaf nightshade plants will die with the first frost but the root systems will survive and produce new vegetative shoots in the spring. Seeds can be spread by birds consuming the berries and tillage operations. In addition, tillage operations during the spring can contribute to the spread rhizomes of silverleaf nightshade across fields. Precautions need to be taken into account when doing soil disturbance operations in the spring and summer.

    Impacts

    Figure 3. Silverleaf nightshade (Solanum elaeagnifolium) CA Distribution Map. The blue dots show the distribution of Silverleaf nightshade in California. CALFLORA 2024

    Silverleaf nightshade is becoming a problematic weed in some young pistachio orchards in Tulare, Kings and West Fresno. This perennial weed is mostly found in young orchards that are planted on west Fresno and Kings County by interstate 5 highway (Figure 3). In Tulare County, silverleaf nightshade is found pistachio orchards that were planted in unmanaged fallow land or in fields near roadsides where it’s commonly found. One of the major impacts of silverleaf nightshade is that it competes with young pistachio orchard for resources such as water, light and nutrients. If left unmanaged, silverleaf nightshade can also interfere with irrigation operations and potentially reduce crop vigor in young pistachio trees (Figure 2). Since silverleaf nightshade can adapt to alkaline and saline soils, it will also outcompete many of the summer annual weeds and become the dominant weed in the population.

    Figure 1. From left to right: Silverleaf nightshade (Solanum elaegnifolium), Black nightshade (Solanum nigrum), Hairy nightshade (Solanum physalifolium). Weeds in the nightshade family can be found in orchards and in annual crops. Silverleaf nightshade produces silver green leaves, violet flowers, and yellow berries. Black and hairy nightshades produce white flowers and black berries. UC IPM.

    Management

    Silverleaf nightshade can be a weed that is difficult to control with the available management methods in orchards. Tillage is not recommended as that is one of the ways that rhizomes can be spread across the orchard (Ensby 2011). Mechanical control methods such mowing can be an effective control method to prevent weeds from setting seed. Flail mowers are often used in orchards and vineyards to mow weeds in between tree rows. It is important to note that, new silverleaf nightshade shoots will potentially sprout from the root system after the tops are mowed (Stanton 2011). Even though mowing can be an effective weed control method during the growing season, most commercial mowers will miss the weeds that grow in between trees that directly compete with young trees. Hand weeding can be used to remove some of the weeds around the trees, but extra precaution needs to be taken. Mature silverleaf nightshade plants are covered in reddish prickles that can be harmful if weeds are handled with bare hands. Weeding tools such as shovels and hula hoes can damage surface drip hoses if the user is not careful.

    Herbicides can be an effective weed management method to control silverleaf nightshade in different tree crops. There are a twelve pre-emergent and thirteen post-emergent herbicides with different sites of action that are registered for use in pistachios (Table 1). Pre-emergent herbicides are normally applied during the dormant season and most only control weeds before they germinate. Pendimethalin, rimsulfuron, mesotrione, flumioxazin, isoxaben, and flazasulfuron are herbicides that have great control over black and hairy nightshade. Isoxaben can suppress silverleaf nightshade, but cannot be used in pistachios that have not been established for at least three years. Pre-emergent herbicides will not control silverleaf nightshade that emerges from rhizomes in the summer. Post-emergent herbicides can be used to control silverleaf nightshade that emerges in the summer and early fall before harvest. Glyphosate, glufosinate, pyraflufen, and carfentrazone are post-emergent herbicides with different sites of action that can be used to control different weeds and can be used up to two weeks before harvest. 2, 4-D is another post-emergent herbicide that is registered for use in pistachios, but needs to be applied to trees that have been established for at least one year and has a pre-harvest interval of 60 days. Research work from other researchers has shown that glyphosate and 2, 4-D have excellent control of silverleaf nightshade (DiTomaso 2013) (Gitsopoulos 2017). Glyphosate is a systemic herbicide that can potentially kill the root system of silverleaf nightshade, when applied at the correct timing and rate. Since Silverleaf nightshade has extensive rhizome root systems, the root systems need to be killed to fully control this weed. In the summer months, a combination of mowing and the use of post-emergent herbicides can kill the aboveground tissues of silverleaf nightshade weeds and deplete the root bank in the soil (Heap 2018). Post-emergent herbicides need adjuvants such as nonionic surfactants, crop and seed oils, to increase their efficacy. Furthermore, always consult the herbicide labels on information regarding information on the required adjuvants, pre-harvest intervals, application rates and maximum applications per seasons.

    The weed management tools to control silverleaf nightshade in pistachio orchards are limited. Developing and maintaining field records before planting is a great way to determine the history of a field before planting. Conducting weed surveys in the winter and spring can help determine what weed species are present in a field. Silverleaf nightshade populations can be reduced by mowing in between tree rows and applying herbicides to weeds present in between trees. These management practices need to be done before the weeds set seeds to contribute to reduce the seedbank. To avoid introducing silverleaf nightshade to other fields, it is important to sanitize tractor equipment and manage the weeds that grow on the field edges or near irrigation canals. To have an effective silverleaf nightshade management program, a combination of herbicides with different modes of action are needed decrease the possibility of it developing herbicides resistance. Silverleaf nightshade is difficult to control because of its tolerance to many herbicides (Gitsopoulos 2017). During the summer months, it is best to use a combination of systemic and contact post-emergent herbicides to get higher levels of control for silverleaf nightshade. To enhance the efficacy and herbicide absorption, post-emergent herbicides require adjuvants such asmethylated seed oils, non-ionic surfactants, crop-oil concentrates, and nitrogen-based fertilizers. — By Jorge Antonio Angeles, UC Cooperative Extension Weed Management Advisor

    Table 1. Herbicides registered for use in CA tree and vine crops. https://wric.ucdavis.edu/. Mention of a trade name is not an endorsement or recommendation. Always check the label before applying.

    Cited Literature

    Boyd, J.W. and Murray, D.S. 1982. Growth and development of silverleaf nightshade (Solanum elaeagnifolium). Weed Science 30, 238-43.

    DiTomaso, J.M., G.B. Kyser et al. 2013. Weed Control in Natural Areas in the Western United States. Weed Research and Information Center, University of California. 544pp.

    Ensbey R. 2011. Noxious and environmental weed control handbook – A guide to weed control in non-crop, aquatic and bushland situations. 6th ed. New South Wales: Department of Trade and Investment, Regional Infrastructure and Services.

    Gitsopoulos, Thomas & Damalas, Christos & Georgoulas, Ioannis. 2017. Chemical options for the control of silverleaf nightshade (Solanum elaeagnifolium). Planta Daninha. 35. 10.1590/s0100-83582017350100064.

    Heap, J. & Wu, H. 2018. Silverleaf Nightshade: Australian best practice management manual. Primary Industries and Regions SA & NSW Department of Primary Industries: Adelaide.

    Roberts J., Florentine. 2022. Biology, distribution and management of the globally invasive weed Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav. (silverleaf nightshade): A global review of current and future management challenges. Weed Res. 2022;62:393–403. doi: 10.1111/wre.12556.

    Stanton, R. & Wu, Hanwen & Lemerle, D. 2011. Root regenerative ability of silverleaf nightshade (Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav.) in the glasshouse. Plant Protection Quarterly. 26. 54-56.

  • Setton Pistachio Announces Earth Day Scholarship Winners

    Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella, Inc., the nation’s second-largest pistachio grower and processor, is proud to announce the recipients of the second annual Setton Earth Day scholarship contest. This initiative was created as part of the Setton family’s ongoing commitment to helping students reach their educational goals and spreading awareness about the importance of sustainability. For more information, visit www.settonfarms.com.

    Setton Farms partnered with Porterville High School, Monache High School, and Harmony Magnet Academy in Porterville, California, to award scholarships to exemplary seniors. This year, Setton expanded its reach from one institution to three, awarding $5,000 to the first-place winner; $2,500 to the second-place winner; $1,000 each to three third-place winners; and $500 each to five honorable mentions. Additionally, all other students received a participation award of $250.

    “Our goal is to support students in pursuing their college education, and we’re grateful to the schools and students that participated this year,” said Setton Farms COO Mia Cohen. “We were happily overwhelmed by the extraordinary creativity and originality of the projects submitted by the students, depicting sustainability.”

    Students were asked to create a painting, sculpture, video, clothing piece, etc., focusing on sustainability in California’s Central Valley, and were required to use pistachio kernels or shells provided by Setton as part of their entry.

    1st place winner Ryan Shearer

    The 2024 recipients are: first place, Ryan Shearer (Harmony); second place, Robert Ikeda (Harmony); third places, Tiana Contreras (Harmony), Gloribel Mendoza (Porterville H. S.), and Cambria Arias (Harmony); and honorable mentions, Chloe Medina (Harmony), Anali Alcantar (Harmony), Dulce Elena Soto Sanchez (Monache H.S.), Josue Robledo (Harmony), and Neveah Sanchez (Porterville H.S.).

    “I would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Setton Farms for their generous support of our students’ college aspirations through this scholarship program,” said Porterville High School Principal Jose A. Valdez. “Setton’s commitment to education is helping our students fulfill their lifelong dreams of higher education. We truly appreciate their generosity and look forward to continuing our partnership to foster the future leaders of our community.”

    “We are grateful for the spirited and generous support from Setton Farms for the Earth Day scholarship program,” said Harmony Magnet Academy Principal Jeff Brown. “Their leadership has set a cornerstone that success truly begins with education, while their commitment to students’ success creates opportunities and changes lives.”

    “Our students are very fortunate to have been invited to apply for Setton Farms scholarship,” said Monache High School Principal Dr. Eric Barba. “Setton truly knows how to set the bar to encourage our students to be 21st century learners and future participants in our global market, all while keeping global sustainability at the forefront.”

    Submissions were judged on originality, creativity, and how well they incorporated the topic of sustainability and Setton Farms branding into their project. The judging panel was comprised of Setton employees, school representatives, and local leaders. Winners were honored at an awards luncheon at Harmony Magnet Academy on Wednesday, April 18.

    Setton Farms launched its College Education Scholarship Program in 2016 and has awarded over 60 scholarships to employees, local community members, and students worth over $130,000. For more information on available programs and Setton’s ongoing mission, please contact Maria Medrano at (559) 535-6050.

    Setton Farms, the second largest pistachio grower-processor in the United States, is a family-owned and operated brand located in the heart of Central Valley, California since 1986. Highly regarded as “America’s Best Tasting Pistachios,” and widely recognized for its superior quality and tradition of excellence, Setton Farms grows, harvests, processes and manufactures pistachios using renewable energy, eco-friendly practices, and proprietary techniques. Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella, Inc. offers an established line of premium in-shell and kernel pistachio products that are non-GMO project verified, certified gluten-free, organic and kosher, while a select variety features the AHA heart-check mark. Setton provides pistachios to more than 60 foreign markets worldwide and distributes to wholesalers and retailers throughout the United States. For more information, visit settonfarms.com and follow on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and X.

  • New Farm Bill Priorities Supporting Specialty Crop Agriculture

    As legislature continues to work on completing a new Farm Bill, specialty crops may reap greater representation and benefits than in any previous Farm Bill.  Watch this brief video featuring Philip Karsting from Olsson Frank Weeda as he discusses their priorities for specialty crop ag at a recent conference held by American Pistachio Growers.

    Special thanks to American Pistachio Growers for sponsoring this video.

  • How AI and Global Economic Trends will Impact California Agriculture

    World-renowned economist and and financial expert Marci Rossell addressed American Pistachio Growers again this year at their annual conference, this time sharing some key insights on how the boom in AI (artificial intelligence) and inflation/interest-rate trends will impact specialty crop growers in the immediate and near future. Watch her brief interview with Malcolm Media Editor Matthew Malcolm for the inside scoop.

    Special Thanks to American Pistachio Growers for sponsoring this video.

  • Pistachio Industry Continues Investment in Promising Export Market Opportunities

    The U.S. pistachio industry continues to set high shipment records in key export markets. Much of this made possible by the unified efforts of American Pistachio Growers (APG) and their marketing campaigns overseas. Pacific Nut Producer Editor Matthew Malcolm met with APG’s VP of Global Marketing Scott Fryer to discuss pistachio export market trends and where they plan to market the record crop that is expected this year. Watch this brief interview and read more in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

    Special thanks to American Pistachio Growers for sponsoring this video.

  • American Pistachio Growers Healthy Soils Grant Application Window Closing

    Time is running out to apply for funding through American Pistachio Growers’ $5 million grant awarded by the California Department of Food & Agriculture to help growers adopt healthy soils practices in the Golden State. You don’t have to be a member of APG to apply.  Watch this brief video as Pacific Nut Producer Editor Matthew Malcolm  and Carlee Branco from CalG.A.P. discuss details of the grant and application process.

    Special Thanks to American Pistachio Growers for sponsoring this video.

  • American Pistachio Growers Interim President Introduced at Annual Conference

    At the annual Pistachio Industry Conference held by American Pistachio Growers (APG) in Monterey this year, Pacific Nut Producer Editor Matthew Malcolm met with Joel Nelsen, Interim President of APG, for a video introduction to the industry.  Watch this brief interview as he also discusses his priorities with APG and its direction as the pistachio industry continues to grow.

    Special Thanks to American Pistachio Growers for sponsoring this video.

  • Tyler Zion Promoted to Director of Sales at Meridian Growers

    Meridian Growers has announced the promotion of Tyler Zion to the position of Director of Sales. In this new capacity, Tyler will be responsible for all sales for Meridian Growers.

    Tyler Zion is a recent graduate of American Pistachio Growers LeadOn pistachio leadership program, which, no doubt, has helped prepare him serve Meridian Growers and the pistachio industry at this new capacity. He is pictured here (Right) with his father Jim Zion (Left).

    Tyler Zion was hired in February of 2023 as a sales representative. Since coming on board, he has progressed quickly and proven his ability to adapt and grow in his industry knowledge. Tyler will be overseeing the sales of the almonds, pistachios, and pecans they grow and sell worldwide. Meridian is eager for Tyler to strengthen their market base and continue their mission to be the bridge between growers and users of dried fruits and nuts.

    “I am very excited to take on this new opportunity and continue the established relationships that Meridian has with its customers while continuing to make new connections in markets around the world,” shared Tyler Zion.

    “I am pleased to have Tyler take over the day-to-day sales activity for our company, especially since we are now offering value added products. I fully expect Tyler to be an asset in the years to come that allows us to continue to provide our customers with the high-quality products and services they deserve while enabling us to achieve our goals for growth as a company. At Meridian we have a long-standing policy of promoting from within whenever possible. That way, both our staff and customers benefit from the knowledge and skills acquired over time while ensuring we maintain high quality products,” stated Jim Zion, Managing Director at Meridian.

    Meridian Growers has been in business since 1998 and is a grower, processor, shipper and marketer of California and Arizona almonds, pistachios, and pecans.

    Tyler Zion can be reached at 559-326-9511, or tzion@meridiangrowers.com.