Pistachio Production Research Articles

ASSESMENT OF AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES AND MACHINERY USE IN PISTACHIO NUT ORCHARDS IN SIIRT PROVINCE OF TURKEY

As is the case in all type of orchards, agricultural practices should be done on regular and timely basis in Pistachio orchards to get abundant and high-quality products. The agricultural practices applied mainly in pistachio orchards include tillage, irrigation, pruning, fertilization, plant protection, harvesting and post-harvest handling and processing. In this study, the use of machinery and the problems encountered in the application of agricultural practices in pistachio orchards were evaluated in Siirt province of Turkey. Study data were collected with the structured questionnaires during the face-to-face farmer interview, which was conducted in 165 pistachio farms in 2019. The sample size was determined by Stratified sampling method. For analysis of the data, descriptive statistics methods and Chi-square test were employed. It was revealed that the mechanization applications and problems encountered in pistachio production were connected with the processes from soil cultivation to harvest and post-harvest. The results showed that the use of machine power in the pistachio farms in Siirt province is very limited with tillage, spraying and transportation. It was also revealed that the orchard acreage had a statistically significant relationship with the machinery use for almost all agricultural practices except tillage and irrigation methods.

Contaminant detection in pistachio nuts by different classification methods applied to short-wave infrared hyperspectral images

In this paper different multivariate classification methods applied to hyperspectral images acquired in the short-wave infrared range (SWIR: 1000–2500 nm) were evaluated for quality control of pistachio nuts. In more detail, the detection of contaminants in edible pistachio products was assessed. Six material classes (i.e. edible and inedible pistachio nuts, pistachio shells, pistachio husks, twigs, and stones) were investigated. Samples were divided into two groups: a training set and a validation set. The acquired hyperspectral images were first explored by Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The following multivariate classification methods were selected in order to verify and compare their efficiency and robustness: Partial Least Squares-Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA), Principal Component Analysis with Discriminant Analysis (PCA-DA), Principal Component Analysis with k-Nearest Neighbor (PCA-kNN), and Classification And Regression Tree (CART). The classification results obtained for the four models in terms of prediction maps and values of the performance parameters ( Sensitivity , Specificity, and Efficiency ) were good in most cases. The main misclassification errors occur between ‘Edible pistachio’ and ‘Inedible pistachio’ classes and between ‘Pistachio shell’, ‘Pistachio husk’, and ‘Twig’ classes, confirming the similar spectral features of such classes observed by PCA. PCA-kNN provided the best discrimination ability in prediction, with Efficiency values from 0.92 to 0.99, followed by PLS-DA and PCA-DA. The performance of CART decreased from the calibration to the validation phase. The overall results demonstrated that SWIR-HSI technology, coupled with multivariate analysis modeling, is a promising approach to develop both ‘off-line’ and ‘on-line’ fast, reliable and robust contaminant detection in edible pistachios. • Pistachio quality control by short-wave infrared hyperspectral imaging. • Chemometric strategies applied to hyperspectral images for contaminant detection in pistachio nuts. • Detection of edible pistachio and different contaminants in automated and non-destructive way. • Comparison of different classification models for pistachios and contaminants identification. • Identification of a robust and efficient strategy for quality control of edible pistachio.

Pistachio Production Management in Iran by Rest-breaking Treatment and Comparison of Dynamic vs Chill Hour Model for Chill Accumulation

Pistachio Production Management in Iran by Rest-breaking Treatment and Comparison of Dynamic vs Chill Hour Model for Chill Accumulation

The leaf beetle Labidostomis lusitanica (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) as an Iberian pistachio pest: projecting risky areas.

BACKGROUNDPistachio (Pistacia vera L.) is a commercially important tree in the Mediterranean basin, where there is a considerable increase in cultivation, especially in Spain. Because of its recent introduction as a crop in the country (1980s), studies on the pests of pistachio in Spain are still rare. Here, we studied the leaf beetle Labidostomis lusitanica (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), which was observed on pistachio and might become a serious pest under the expanding Spanish pistachio fields. Because early detection of pests is extremely important to properly plan control strategies, we (i) updated the information on the distribution of the species through samplings and surveys, and (ii) modelled its potential distribution.RESULTSCurrently, L. lusitanica occurs across the whole Iberian Peninsula, especially in its southern and eastern parts, with adults on flight roughly from late April to early June. Analysis of climatic niches showed that L. lusitanica prefers dry and hot areas, which are conditions found especially in the central‐southern parts of the Iberian Peninsula. Such highly suitable areas for this pest overlap considerably with the suitable areas for pistachio cultivation. Surveys of pistachio growers weakly suggested a higher pest attack probability, but, unexpectedly, a lower perceived impact in very suitable areas for L. lusitanica, suggesting that other factors may shape its pest potential in a complex way.CONCLUSIONIn line with what has been observed for other Labidostomis species on pistachio in other Mediterranean countries, L. lusitanica has a good potential to harm pistachio production in Spain, claiming for further investigations and prevention strategies. © 2021 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Update of pistachio leaf spot caused by Septoria pistaciarum in light of new taxonomic advances in Italy

Septoria leaf spot is one the most widespread disease affecting pistachio (Pistacia vera) in countries of the Mediterranean region. Traditionally, three species have been associated with pistachio, including Septoria pistaciae, Septoria pistaciarum and S. pistacina. However, recent taxonomic studies have reordered and clarified the status of Septoria and septoria-like pathogens affecting pistachio. In our study, field surveys conducted in the traditional Sicilian pistachio production area of Bronte revealed the presence of trees showing characteristic septoria-like leaf spot. Collected isolates were morphologically and molecularly characterized. Morphological characterization was based on conidia measurements and evaluation of mycelial growth on different artificial media. Tested media included CMA, MEA, OA, PDA, and SNA. Phylogenetic analysis was conducted on a multi-locus approach (ITS + tef1 + tub2) based on Maximum Parsimony and Maximum Likelihood. Results showed that our isolates clustered with S. pistaciarum. Pathogenicity test was conducted in the field using conidia suspensions in order to fulfill Koch's postulates. Presence of characteristic rounded spots and pycnidia was evaluated on the inoculated leaves 9 and 23 days after inoculation. This study represents the first update on S. pistaciarum in Italy since its first identification in 1934.

The Sanitizing Effect of Peracetic Acid on Microbial Contamination of Pistachio (Pistacia vera L.)

The economic importance along with the high nutritional value of pistachio has necessitated further research on this agricultural product. Its contamination with various microorganisms causes several problems for the production, consumption and export of pistachio every year. Pistachio as a fatty nut is very susceptible to fungal and bacterial contamination and thereby, its shelf life would be reduced. Peracetic acid is a strong oxidizer which can rapidly remove a wide range of microorganisms and is also environmentally safe. In this research, pistachio seeds were firstly treated with different concentrations (0, 1, 2 and 2.5%) of peracetic acid for 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 and 5 min. Then the growth of fungi and bacteria were evaluated. The results indicated that 2% peracetic acid for 0.5 min led to 99% reduction in contaminating microflora . In the next step, the most common microflora contaminating pistachio seeds were detected and exposed to different concentrations of peracetic acid for 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 and 5 min. The results showed that 1% peracetic acid for 0.5 min inhibited the growth of the dominant microflora more than 99%. Peracetic acid treatment in the tested range had no significant effect on lipid content but reduced peroxide value. Therefore, disinfection of pistachio product with a concentration of 1-2% peracetic acid in the washing basins of pistachio processing terminals may be an applicable approach to inhibit their microbial (bacteria and fungi) contamination up to 99% and improve their quality before introducing to the market. However, this idea requires further field research.

The Effect of Low Temperatures on Domestic and Wild Pistachio Rootstocks and Interspecific Hybrids Based on Physio-biochemical Indices

In recent decades, spring frost considered a serious threat in pistachio production (Pistacia vera). Considering that, Iran is one of the most important centers of pistachio production and has the highest variety of pistachios in the world, the identification of domestic and wild different rootstocks and their crosses to reach cold-tolerant rootstocks could be one of the effective solutions to face the challenge of spring frost. In this study, cold tolerance was assessed in fourteen rootstocks of pistachio domestic species (Badami Zarand, Sarakhs and Qazvini), interspecific hybrids (Qazvini×Khinjuk, Qazvini×Mutica, Qazvini × Baneh Baghi, Qazvini × Atlantica, Qazvini× Integerrima), non-domesticated species (Atlantica (P. atlantica), Integerrima, Khinjuk, Sarakhs, Mutica (P. atlantica sub. mutica) and Baneh Baghi (P. mutica × P. vera)) and UCB1 hybrid rootstock at low temperatures (4, 0 and -4 °C) for 2 hours. This experiment was conducted in a factorial completely randomized design with three replications on one-year-old seedlings in greenhouse conditions. The results showed that the rate of ion leakage, malondialdehyde and injury index percentage was significant (p <0.01) and their values were decreased in the cold-tolerant rootstocks than the cold-sensitive rootstocks. The interaction between treatments showed that the temperature of - 4 °C caused a significant reduction in ion leakage and malondialdehyde in the cold-tolerant rootstocks. Proline was increased in the cold-tolerant rootstocks compare to cold-sensitive rootstocks. The results of cation leakage percentage were significant in temperature and rootstocks (p <0.01). The results showed that the highest percentage of cation leakage related to potassium and there was a positive and significant correlation between calcium and magnesium and cell membrane stability. According to the results, the most sensitive rootstock was UCB1, Integerrima, Khinjuk and Baneh Baghi, respectively. Hybrids Qazvini , Baneh Baghi, Khinjuk and Integerrima rootstocks were significantly reduced under low-temperature stress. Mutica, Qazvini×Mutica, Sarakhs, Qazvini, Qazvini×Atlantica rootstocks, improved physiological and biochemical traits and maintained cell membrane integrity and finally showed greater tolerance to frost and freezing temperatures, which can be considered in the breeding program.

Identification of Key Periods of Temperature Influence on ‘Sirora’ Pistachio Nut Quality

The methodology of r contour mapping was used in this study of ‘Sirora’ pistachio (Pistacia vera) to establish whether there are any significant relationships between fruit quality characteristics in commercial pistachio production and air temperature in the year before the harvest of the crop as measured at a nearby meteorological station. The work was done near Mildura in Australia. Blank nut percentages were found to be reduced by lower minimum temperatures in mid to late August (southern hemisphere). The percentage of narrow-split nuts was decreased by higher maximum temperatures across almost the whole growing season. Damaged-shell nuts were reduced by higher average daily minimum temperatures between 26 Nov. and 3 Feb. The technique of r contour mapping is shown to have potential as a way to provide early warning of possible quality problems before harvest and as a means of generating hypotheses for future physiological studies

Managing the trade‐off between groundwater resources and large‐scale agriculture: the case of pistachio production in Iran

AbstractBenefiting from historically favorable conditions (e.g. low costs, fertile land, and abundant water), pistachio producers in Rafsanjan, Iran, have flourished, with pistachio orchards and production growing dramatically since the 1970s. Today, however, the enormous increase in water consumption associated with pistachio production has severely depleted groundwater aquifers, causing widespread water shortages in the region. In this article, we develop a comprehensive system dynamics model, combining the agronomic, economic, hydrologic, and behavioral aspects to analyze the long‐term implications of pistachio production. Our research contributes to the literature of agricultural water management in three significant ways: (i) it provides a validated and quantitative model exploring pistachio farming for a region; (ii) it explicitly captures behavioral decision rules associated with orchard growth and production investment; and (iii) it addresses a natural common‐pool‐resources problem with very long‐time horizons. We consider several policies aimed at addressing the problem (e.g. water transfers, drip irrigation, financial subsidies, income tax, water pricing, and land purchasing). Our results suggest that policies that increase the effectiveness and efficiency of production (e.g. water transfer and drip irrigation respectively), albeit preferred by farmers, lead to better‐before‐worse results, depleting groundwater storage in the long term. Insights from the model can help policymakers have a better understanding of the unintended consequences of their policies. © 2021 The Authors. System Dynamics Review published by John Wiley &amp; Sons Ltd on behalf of System Dynamics Society.

Bioethanol production from pistachio (pistacia vera L.) shells applying ozone pretreatment and subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis

ABSTRACT Pistachio (pistacia vera L.) is a lignocellulosic raw material. One of the most pistachio produced three countries in the World is Turkey and Şanlıurfa is the city that most pistachio production in Turkey. As a result of this production, a large amount of pistachio waste is generated. Therefore, this study was conducted considering the abundant pistachio waste and furthermore, the effects of ozone and combined (ozone and hot water) pretreatments for bioethanol production from pistachio shells were investigated. Initially, the ozone and combined pretreatments were applied to the pistachio shells. It has been observed that applying the combined pretreatment provides better lignin removal than only ozone pretreatment and on the other hand, the ozone pretreatment provides better lignin removal than the hot water pretreatment. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of pretreated and untreated pistachio shells were compared. Enzyme activity was measured, and 30–60 FPU enzyme loading was applied in an enzymatic hydrolysis. The enzymatic hydrolysis was applied to obtain fermentable sugar from the pistachio shells after pretreatments. As a result of enzymatic hydrolysis, 2.34–8.24 g/L reducing sugar was obtained. On the other hand, 1.21–2.33 g/L ethanol concentration was obtained end of the fermentation process. Fermentation efficiency was calculated between 42% and 55%. As a result, this study showed that combined pretreatment was more effective than the single pretreatment in the ethanol production process.

Analysis of Correlation of Pistachio Production and Income with the Koyck Models in Turkey

Analysis of Correlation of Pistachio Production and Income with the Koyck Models in Turkey

Embedding farmers’ groundwater use in the context of their livelihoods: farmers’ perspectives on social-ecological stressors, causes, and solutions

ABSTRACT Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in the agriculture and water sectors requires actors (e.g. farmers, water authorities, scientists) to consider the sustainability of both human and water elements. With a focus on farmers, using a behavioral approach, we explore how the groundwater system, which consists of human and water elements, is seen by pistachio growers in Rafsanjan, Iran (a major pistachio-production region in the world). We advocate that farmers’ rationales behind their decisions about their groundwater use – including their reactions to policies implemented to conserve groundwater– often can be understood in terms of their understanding and knowledge of the groundwater system in which they are embedded. To this end, we explore how pistachio growers see (1) their groundwater-dependent livelihoods (Livelihood); (2) the stressors that threaten their livelihoods (Stressor); and (3) their responses to those stressors (Response). In addition, we document some differences between pistachio growers’ knowledge of the groundwater system and those of scientists. We find that, while showing heterogenous views, the majority of pistachio growers’ perceptions and subjective norms on the Livelihood, Stressor, and Response components strongly favor the human element (short-term pistachio production) over the water element (groundwater conservation for future use). Furthermore, we find that pistachio growers’ knowledge of the groundwater system is an additional factor that influences their decisions to increase groundwater use. We discuss the implications of the results for conserving groundwater resources and maintaining pistachio growers’ livelihoods.

Exploring farmers’ perceptions about their depleting groundwater resources using path analysis: implications for groundwater overdraft and income diversification

Iran is among the world’s top five groundwater exploiters and, similar to many countries in the world, aquifers in Iran have been rapidly depleted over the past decades primarily as a result of groundwater use by farmers. This research was conducted to explore whether the perceptions of pistachio growers in Rafsanjan Plain, Iran (a global center for pistachio production), on the depleting groundwater resources have led to the conservation of the resources and/or income diversification. In addition, the association between these perceptions and factors representing knowledge of growers was examined. To this end, two path models were developed and tested using path analysis and logistic regression. The results indicate that growers who had more pessimistic perceptions of the groundwater resources in Rafsanjan were more likely to increase groundwater extraction; however, these growers were also more likely to seek external employment (income diversification). The final path models suggest attitudes toward groundwater conservation were the most important determinants of pumping behavior, while perceptions of the state of the groundwater were the most important determinants of income diversification. Whether Iranian policies to increase awareness of falling water tables could succeed in securing water conservation would depend on the ‘balance’ of these two forces—an increase in pumping with increased pessimism or a potential decrease in pumping through income diversification. The paper concludes with a discussion on the implications of the results for interventions aimed at changing not only the groundwater users’ decisions about groundwater use, but also their decisions about income diversification.

Determination of Knowledge Level of Pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) Growers on Agricultural Pest Control: The Case of Province Siirt, Turkey

Bu çalışma; Antep fıstığı üreticilerinin tarımsal mücadelede tarım ilacı kullanımı ile ilgili bilgi seviyelerinin belirlenmesi,çevre duyarlılıklarının incelenmesi ve zararlılara karşı en etkili kontrol yöntemlerini önermek amacıyla yürütülmüştür.Çalışma, Türkiye’nin Antep fıstığı üretiminde önemli potansiyele sahip olan Siirt ilinde gerçekleştirilmiştir. Çalışmada, % 95güven ve % 10 hata düzeyinde tesadüfi yöntemlerle, 100 kişi ile 45 sorudan oluşan bir anket yapılmıştır. Anket sonuçları,istatistiksel analize tabi tutulmuş ve ortalamalar % olarak değerlendirilmiştir. Elde edilen bulgulara göre; üreticilerin% 66’sının zararlının yoğunluğuna bakmaksızın tarım ilacı kullandığı, % 71’inin ilaç dozunu etikete göre hazırlamadığı,% 83’ünün biyolojik mücadeleyi bilmediği ve % 88’inin entegre mücadele hakkında herhangi bir bilgiye sahip olmadığıtespit edilmiştir. Çalışma sonucunda, üreticilerin eğitim seviyelerinin düşük olduğu, tarım ilaçlarını aşırı miktardakullandığı, insan ve çevre sağlığı ile biyoçeşitlilik gibi konuları önemsemedikleri ortaya çıkmıştır. Sonuç olarak, Antepfıstığı yetiştiricilerine ilgili kurumlar tarafından tarımsal mücadele konusunda belirli aralıklarla eğitimlerin düzenlenmesi sonderece faydalı olacağı kanısındayız.

Macrophomina Crown and Root Rot of Pistachio in California.

In this study, declining pistachio rootstocks were detected in newly planted commercial pistachio orchards in Kern County, California. Symptoms were characterized by wilted foliage combined with crown rot in the rootstock. From diseased trees, 42 isolates were obtained, and all had similar cultural and morphological characteristics of Macrophomina phaseolina. Analyses of nucleotide sequences of three gene fragments, the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS1–5.8S–ITS2), partial sequences of β-tubulin, and translation elongation factor 1-α (TEF1) confirmed this identification, and 20 representative isolates are presented in the phylogenetic study. Testing of Koch’s postulates showed that M. phaseolina, when inoculated to stems and roots of the pistachio rootstocks using mycelial plugs or a microsclerotial suspension, is indeed pathogenic to this host. The widely used clonal University of California Berkeley I (UCBI) rootstock appeared highly susceptible to M. phaseolina, suggesting that this pathogen is an emerging threat to the production of pistachio in California. This study confirmed the association of M. phaseolina with the decline of pistachio trees and represents the first description of this fungus as a crown rot-causing agent of pistachio in California.

Genetic Diversity, Phylogeography and Population gene flow of Tunisian Pistaciavera L.

The aim of this paper was to determine how the pistachio trees evolve, and the evolving factors that influence pistachio population establishment. For that, we investigated pistachio genetic structure from some regions of Tunisia, by sequencing two noncoding chloroplastic regions (trnL (UAA) and trnL-trnF intergenic spacer). We found strong genetic diversity among groups, with the absence of high differentiation between population pairs. A deep phylogeographical break separated two major clusters: "El-Guetar and "Gafsa/Sidi-Bouzid. This conclusion is proved by the haplotype networks, the phylogenetic trees, and the molecular variance analysis. Different interpretations were proposed to explain this cytoplasm dimorphism, based on the molecular evolution and demographic history analysis: (1) the domestication events, which are very important to understand the variability between the prospective areas, (2) the gene flow between them, a process that occurs both in time and in space through pollen and seeds, and strongly interacts with the local farming systems, (3) the geographical barriers that exist, which limit gene flow transfer and make particular climatic conditions of the El-Guetar oasis. Given that, the genetic diversity study within Tunisian pistachio cultivars is very useful to contribute to the national management effort for the improvement and conservation of pistachio genetic resources. Moreover, in 2017, Tunisia ranked among the top 10 countries in global pistachio production. Thus, studying the diversity of Tunisian pistachio can make an important impact on global production.

Assessing water security of Rafsanjan Plain, Iran – Adopting the SEEA framework of water accounting

Abstract Rafsanjan Plain, located in the central Iran, is a dry area relying solely on its local aquifer for Pistachio production as its dominant economy. During the past few decades, unsustainable growth of Pistachio orchards and correspondingly overexploitation of the local aquifer have resulted in about 18 m fall of the groundwater table with terrible consequences such as reduction in the groundwater yield and about 1.2 m of land subsidence. The aim of the present paper is to analyze water security of the water resources system in the Rafsanjan plain in terms of the system vulnerability to water scarcity. Adopting an analytical framework for assessing the system vulnerability to water scarcity, the paper derives vulnerability indicators based on the data organized in terms of the System of Environmental and Economic Accounting for Water (SEEA-Water) for different water accounts associated to 2001 and 2006. The paper suggests policy options to reduce the system vulnerability using a system dynamics simulation model. The results showed that the water resources system of the study area is highly vulnerable to water scarcity due to large amount of water stress (more than 2), high dependency to groundwater (more than 95%), and high share of water consumption in agricultural sector (more than 90%). To alleviate the system vulnerability, the policy options are suggested to shift partly from agricultural activities to industrial and mining activities. It was shown that the policies could be effective to save water resources volume (more than 40%), improve water productivity (more than 25%), employment productivity (more than 17%), and labor productivity (more than 5%), and enhance per capita income (more than 3%) in comparison to the current state in the Rafsanjan plain.

Application of some bloom thinning techniques to overcome alternate bearing in pistachio (Pistaciavera L.)

Biennial bearing is a frequent problem in pistachio (Pistaciavera L.) production and gets worse with age. Abscission of floral buds is due to competition between growing seeds on 1-year-old shoots and developing buds on current season growth. To avoid it, thinning could be a common cultural practice in orchard management. Three chemical thinners including gibberellic acid (GA3; 50, 100 and 150 mg/L), naphthalene acetic acid (NAA; 40, 80 and 120 mg/L) and ethephon (75, 150 and 200 mg/L), and hand thinning (20%) were applied in a commercial homogenous orchard of pistachio cv.‘Akbari’ 2 weeks after full bloom during 2017–2018 in Rafsanjan, Iran. Thinning rate and quantitative and qualitative traits were investigated in comparison to the control in the split plot arrangement in a randomized complete block design. Ethephone at 200 mg/L and NAA at 120 mg/L caused the highest fruit abscission. Hand thinning, NAA (120 mg/L) and all ehtephone treatments decreased flower bud abscission by about 30% in the “on” year. Vegetative traits such as shoot length and leaf area showed significant increase under the treatments. Chemical thinning remarkably enhanced total non-structural carbohydrate, especially in “on” year. All of the treatments except GA3 increased tree yield in the “off” year. Qualitative fruit characteristics such as nuts per ounce, blank and split nuts percentage improved. Alternate bearing in pistachio tree was adequately controlled and chemical thinning was more effective than hand thinning.

Economic analysis and marketing margin of pistachios in Turkey

BackgroundIn this study, producer and consumer prices and the marketing structure of pistachios in Turkey were examined. Between 2003 and 2017, production, consumption, foreign trade, price fluctuations, and marketing were emphasized. It was determined that the number of fruit trees in pistachios increased. According to current and real prices, pistachio marketing margins are calculated, and producer and consumer chain indexes are calculated according to current prices and compared with annual inflation rates. Supply and demand models related to pistachio were estimated and interpreted statistically.ResultsAs a result, the real price of walnut and periodicity on the amount of pistachio production, on the consumption of Pistachio, the costumer real price of pistachio, population, and periodicity were determined to be effective.ConclusionDemand elasticity in pistachio (1.055) was found to be greater than supply elasticity (0.306), and consumers’ sensitivity to price changes was much higher than that of producers.

Factors Affecting Attitude of Iranian Pistachio Farmers toward Privatizing Extension Activities: Case of Kerman Province

Agricultural extension, as an informal educational system, is one of agricultural development tools that lean on human capitals. Inefficiency of public bureaucracy on the one hand, and managerial problems on the other hand, as well as neglecting real needs of beneficiaries in planning, have determined responsible to transfer administrative tasks to the private sector and reduce government''s tenure. This survey was conducted in Kerman as the first ranked province of pistachio production in Iran to investigate attitudes about extension private services among pistachio farmers. A questionnaire was used as the research tool for data collection. Face validity of the questionnaire was verified by extension experts and Cronbach''s alpha computation showed that reliability of the questionnaire was between 0.8 and 0.89. The study ran among pistachio farmers of five counties (Rafsanjan, Sirjan, Zarand, Kerman and Ravar). Random cluster sampling method, with a sample size of 382 respondents was applied. Finally, the collected data were analyzed using SPSS software. Results revealed that several factors such as education level, participating in extension activities, innovation acceptance, membership in associations, cosmopolitan, positive attitude toward knowledge and information, applying numerous information resources, pistachio yield per hectare, area of the pistachio garden and satisfaction of the private consultants had relation with attitude toward privatization of extension. Also, the level of participation in extension activities and attitude toward the public extension could explain 24.8 percent of changes in attitude toward private extension.