Small Nuts Research Articles

Morphometric parameters, cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) nuts germination and graft plant production time in Côte d’Ivoire

The production of grafted cashew seedlings in Côte d'Ivoire lasts from four to six months. This causes late transplanting in the field. This study aimed at reducing the production time of grafted cashew plants. The effect of cashew nut morphometric parameters on germination, rootstock vigour and production time of grafted cashew seedlings was evaluated. Four genotypes, characterized by different nut sizes, were used as rootstocks. For sowing, 160 cashew nuts were used. Apical grafting, with semi-woody scions taken from trees of genotype LAX3264, was carried out on the rootstocks. Little variability was found in the length, width and thickness of the nut. On the contrary, the nut weight showed a high variability. Seed germination time was on average 5-8 days after sowing (DAS). The small nuts, from the PK23 genotype, had a long germination time. The production time of the grafted plants, on average 72 days after sowing, for all the genotypes, was shorter than the former production time which was 90 and 120 days. No significant differences were observed between the genotypes.

Study on morphological parameters of the sweet almond nut (Amygdalus communis l.)

This article delves into the morphological features of various sweet almond (Amygdalus communis L.) varieties and forms, with the aim of analyzing their characteristics and applying the findings to obtain new types of almonds. Thirteen different sweet almond varieties were studied, including their total weight, kernel mass, number of seeds, and seed ratio. The results showed that one genotype (Qamashi-3) had medium to large nuts, while the other twelve genotypes had small nuts. All genotypes had easily peeled shells. Of the selected varieties, 15.38% were very large, 46.15% were medium to large, and 38.46% were small-fruited. The length, width, and thickness of the nut varied from 22.0 mm to 39.2 mm, 14.0 mm to 23.0 mm, and 11.0 mm to 16.5 mm, respectively. The thickness of the seed coat ranged from 1.5 mm to 3.1 mm. The number of nuts per 1 kg differed across varieties, ranging from 139 to 1076 pieces. Two genotypes had very hard shells (Tosh almond, Qamashi-3), four had hard shells, three had medium-hard shells, and six had soft shells. Most of the genotypes had sweet grains (12 genotypes), while one had a bittersweet taste. Overall, the studied sweet almond genotypes are important for expanding the genetic base in Uzbekistan through hybridization with each other or with standard varieties.

Seeds and indehiscent fruit of Anarthriaceae and Australian Restionaceae: a gallery of micromorphology

The diaspores of Anarthriaceae and Australian Restionaceae are seeds or small nuts and are illustrated by scanning electron microscopy or multifocus microscopy and considered in relation to a previously published phylogeny based on plastid genes. Loculicidal trilocular capsular fruits are the basal condition in the restiid clade, but indehiscent fruits have evolved many times. In the Australasian members, indehiscent fruits are found in Anarthriaceae (Hopkinsia); Restionaceae: Centrolepidoideae (Aphelia); Sporadanthoideae (Calorophus); Leptocarpoideae (Empodisma, Winifredia and the whole of the Leptocarpus and Desmocladus clades). Seeds of dehiscent fruits show a diversity of surface ornamentation with distinctive surface patterns characterising genera such as Lyginia, Chordifex and Loxocarya. Pericarps are membranous in subfam. Centrolepidoideae but in the Leptocarpus clade range from hyaline in much of Leptocarpus to hard and woody in Alexgeorgea and Hypolaena. Pericarps are parenchymatous in most of the Desmocladus clade, but woody in Catacolea. Indehiscent fruits are mostly shed with tepals and floral bracts attached or, in Baloskion and some Lepidobolus species, also with the subtending glume. Seed weights were not comprehensively sampled but vary from 0.08 mg in Centrolepis to >600 mg in Alexgeorgea, with most in the range 0.3–3 mg [dry weight]. The smaller weights are mostly either in perennials of habitats with more reliable rainfall or in ephemeral annuals that avoid drought by their brief growing season, but the association between seed type and habitat has not been investigated. We see no convincing evidence to link to Restionaceae the fossil taxon Restiocarpum and the Milfordia pollen that occurs with it in Eocene–Oligocene sediments of Queensland.

Correlation between Nasal Foreign Bodies and Their Presentation in Paediatric Age Group

Objectives: To observe the relationship of nasal foreign bodies in terms of patient’s age as well as the type of foreign body and removal technique.
 Materials and Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted in ENT department, Akbar Niazi Teaching Hospital, Islamabad from April 2017 to May 2018. A total of 120 patients selected by non-probability consecutive sampling technique with inclusion criteria of all children less than 12 years with foreign body in nose were recruited for this study after taking written informed consent. Patients who had concurrent nasal infections and trauma were excluded. Children age, gender, site, type of foreign body and removal technique were recorded. Data was analyzed by using SPSS version 21.
 Results: A total of 120 patients were presented with nasal foreign bodies, 107 cases were successfully dealt with in OPD while 13 patients were admitted for removal under general anaesthesia. The commonest affected age group was 2-5 years (78.33%) with more females (55.75%) than males (44.25%). Organic type of foreign body was 55.8% and inorganic type of foreign body was 44.2%. Seeds and small nuts (35%) were found to be the commonest types of nasal foreign body. The correlation between age groups, types of foreign body, removal technique and site of foreign body was significant (p value ≤ 0.05).
 Conclusion: Nasal foreign bodies are commonly faced problem in children, specially in 2-5 years of age. They are largely harmless but complications can occur if neglected. Prevention remains the best option while for non-cooperative and attempted cases, removal under general anaesthesia is safe and preferred.

Изучение физической, технологической и физико-химической характеристики фундука

In the article, to study the physical, technological and physico-chemical characteristics of hazelnuts, promising varieties of hazelnuts were selected: Ata-baba, Oilseed hazelnuts, Ganja hazelnuts, Ashraf, Kudryavchik and Lombard hazelnuts. Their main dimensions, mass, core yield, solid shell thickness, etc. are measured and recorded. Some technological characteristics of the selected hazelnut varieties were studied. In accordance with the procedure, round-shaped hazelnuts, large and small of this size, were checked in factories for processing products with a diameter of less than 13.2 mm, and oblong nuts were taken as small nuts. Hazelnuts of the Ata-baba, Oilseed and Ashraf varieties became more suitable for processing on the equipment of the processing enterprise. One of the important parameters is the kernel output. The core output must be at least 35%. This indicator is 55.7% in the Ata-baba variety, 58% in the Oilseed hazelnuts. The Ganja variety had 54%. The main reserve substances of hazelnuts are proteins and lipids. The content of lipids in the studied varieties was 60.4–72.5%, proteins 15.8–17.8%, carbohydrates 11.4–20.11%, core moisture 3.98–7.49%. According to the certification requirements, the drained cores should not exceed 4%. Set coefficients of external and internal friction of hazelnuts with shell and core without shell so that when the humidity increases from 12% to 21% for xar of the fetus increases with 0.622 to 0.649, for dax with 0.461 to 0.523 accordingly, when the humidity increases core from 4% to 9% for xar with 0.570 to 0.603, for dax increased the odds with 0.418 to 0.453. This suggests that an increase in moisture content increases the ratio of external and internal friction of hazelnuts with shell and core without the shell. It was found that the damage to the fruit depends more on the humidity. It is considered important to maintain the moisture content of the product served for the breakdown within 14%.

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Trapa incisa Sieb. & Zucc. (Lythraceae)

Trapa L., an annual floating-leaved herb, is widely distributed in the old world and has important edible and medicinal values. However, the taxonomy and phylogeny of Trapa are unclear. Here, we reported the complete chloroplast genome of a wild species with small nuts, T. incisa. The complete chloroplast genome size of T. incisa was 155, 453 bp, consisting of two inverted repeat (IR) regions (24, 388 bp), one large single copy (LSC) region (88, 398 bp) and one small single copy (SSC) region (18, 279 bp). A total of 129 genes were annotated, including 83 protein-coding genes, 38 tRNA genes and 8 rRNA genes. Among them, 19 genes were duplicated (6 protein-coding genes, 9 tRNA genes and 4 rRNA genes). The phylogenomic analysis suggested a close relationship between T. incisa and T. maximowiczii.

Relationships between Nut Size, Kernel Quality, Nutritional Composition and Levels of Outcrossing in Three Macadamia Cultivars.

Tree nuts play an important role in healthy diets, but their economic value and nutritional quality may be affected by their size and paternity. We assessed relationships between nut size and kernel recovery, the incidence of whole kernels, fatty acid composition and mineral nutrient concentrations in three macadamia cultivars, “Daddow”, “816” and “A4”. We determined to what extent differences in nut size and quality were the result of different levels of cross- or self-paternity. Small nuts of all cultivars had lower kernel recovery than large nuts, and small nuts provided lower incidence of whole kernels in “Daddow” and “A4”. Small kernels had a lower relative abundance of the saturated fatty acid, palmitic acid, in all cultivars and higher relative abundance of the unsaturated fatty acid, oleic acid, in “Daddow” and “A4”. Small kernels had higher concentrations of many essential nutrients such as nitrogen and calcium, although potassium concentrations were lower in small kernels. Most nuts arose from cross-pollination. Therefore, nut size and kernel quality were not related to different levels of cross- and self-paternity. Identified cross-paternity was 88%, 78% and 90%, and identified self-paternity was 3%, 2% and 0%, for “Daddow”, “816” and “A4”, respectively. Small macadamia kernels are at least as nutritious as large macadamia kernels. High levels of cross-paternity confirmed that many macadamia cultivars are predominantly outcrossing. Macadamia growers may need to closely inter-plant cultivars and manage beehives to maximise cross-pollination.

Development of Cashew nut Shelling Machine

Cashew nut shelling machine was designed using impact method to improve shelling efficiency and whole kernel recovery for nuts roasted in hot oil. This was based on the principle of the optimum kinetic energy that could break the cashew nut shell. Deformation energy used was 4.8763 Joules, angular velocity of the impeller calculated from the energy was 26.43 rad/s which was equal to 252 rpm and minimum power required was calculated to be 257.7 Watts. The prototype of cashew nut sheller was constructed and evaluated for its shelling efficiency and whole kernel recovery using three levels of moisture content (7.00%w.b., 8.46%w.b. and 9.83% w.b.), three levels of impeller speeds and three nut sizes (large, medium and small). The results showed that moisture content has significant effect (at P < 0.05) on the shelling efficiency and whole kernel recovery of the nut for the three nut sizes while the impeller speed showed no significant effect. The optimal performance of the machine on large nuts for whole kernel recovery and shelling efficiency were 59.65% and 82.0% respectively at 1759 rpm and 7.00% w.b. For medium nut, they were 53.2% and 92.2% respectively at 1538rpm and 9.83% w.b. For small nut, they were 45.1% and 79.7% respectively at 1704 rpm and 7.00% w.b. Impact shelling methods works well with large cashew nuts as these exhibit higher whole kernel recovery than medium and small nuts.

Integration of molecular and geographical data analysis of Iranian Prunus scoparia populations in order to assess genetic diversity and conservation planning

Evaluation of spatial and non-spatial distribution is of great importance for protection of plant’s genetic resources. Prunus scoparia, a wild almond species, is an important economically and ecologically food resource plant in Iran with specific characteristics such as self-compatibility, resistant to drought and fungus, bitterness as well as small nuts. This wild species can provide an enlarged gene pool and may be considered as a valuable germplasm source for breeding the cultivated almond. In this study, the conservation planning and genetic variation of 158 Prunus scoparia accessions was investigated with the aid of 36 SSR markers to reveal genetic distinctness and structure. The molecular markers studied showed quite high level of genetic diversity on the basis of Na = 6.47, Ho = 0.603 and He = 0.737. The result of Neighbor net analysis was not in parallel with STRUCTURE data as classified samples into two and 12 main groups, respectively. On the other hand, the results of GENELAND analysis ensured the population classification and the genetic relatedness between populations from STRUCTURE analysis due to use of geographical data. All samples were grouped based on their geographical location. Moreover, utilization of GIS data accompanied by appropriate number of SSR markers could provide the possibility of prioritizing of distribution regions in natural and unnatural environments. The species distribution modeling would also help gain comprehensive information on conservation strategies of this wild almond species.

Effect on fruit quality traits of hazelnut cultivars when picking by hand from branch and ground

Research on fruit quality traits was carried out on the hazelnut ‘Cakildak’, ‘Fosa’, and ‘Tombul’ grown in Kocaali county of Sakarya province, Turkey, in 2009 and 2010. For this research, three orchards were defined and studied with three replicates for all cultivars. Each replicate was represented by three ocaks. The nut samples were harvested from a total of 27 ocaks either by picking directly from the branch or the ground, following a randomized block design based on cultivar or harvest treatment. For each replicate, nut weight and size, shell thickness, kernel weight and size, internal cavity size, kernel percent, the proportion of poorly filled nuts, shriveled kernels, blank nut ratio, good kernel ratio, pellicle removal ratio, and small nut ratio were determined. Further, pellicle removal and small nut proportions were also determined. As a result of this study, it can be said that quality traits were significant to picking method × cultivar interaction and better results were obtained picking by hand from ground. In general, the samples that were picked from the branch had thicker shells, more internal cavity space, a larger ratio of poorly filled nuts, and more shriveled kernels then nuts picked from the ground. In the case of the samples which were picked from ground, they had a greater nut weight, nut size, and better ratio of good kernel compared to those picked from branch. In addition, the heaviest nuts and kernels and the largest nuts and the lowest small nuts were determined in ‘Fosa’, ‘Cakildak’, ‘Tombul’, respectively.

Effect of irrigation regimes by mini sprinkler on yield and pomological traits in ‘Tombul’ hazelnut

This research was conducted to determine the effect of different irrigation regimes by mini sprinkler method on yield and quality parameters of 'Tombul' hazelnut in Giresun (Turkey) in 2015. The experiment was a completely randomized design with one factor and three replications. Hazelnut ocaks (multiple stem system) were pruned in 2014, 5 stems were kept in each ocak. The ocaks were irrigated with mini-sprinklers at three different water levels (0, 50, and 100%). The results showed that the yield was affected by irrigation levels. The highest yield (3.36 kg ocak-1) was obtained at irrigation level of 65% of full irrigation water amount determined by using curve fitting approach. The control (0%) gave the lowest yield (1.41 kg ocak-1). Irrigation levels had a significant effect on nut weight, shell thickness, kernel weight, kernel size, blank nuts, kernel defects, good kernels and L* color value in kernel powder. However, nuts per cluster, nut size, internal cavity size, kernel percentage, small nuts, average blanching rate, a* and b* color values in kernel powder were not affected significantly. The highest values of nut weight, shell thickness, kernel weight, kernel size, nut blanks and kernel defects were obtained from control (0%) treatment, and the highest percentage of good kernels was obtained from the irrigation level of 50%.

Nut and kernel characteristics of hazelnut cultivars in an area outside the commercial production region in Turkey

Ankara province is located in Central Anatolia where a continental ecology dominates. Winters are cold, summers are hot and dry, humidity is low, and soil has high pH. In this study, performance of 46 hazelnut cultivars and selections were investigated in Ankara in 2015 and 2016. The continental ecology of Ankara had strong negative effects on nut and kernel traits. The average nut and kernel weights were 29.4 and 31.4% lower, respectively, for Turkish cultivars compared to the Black Sea region. Similarly, nut weights of ‘Barcelona’, ‘Ennis’, ‘Hall’s Giant’, ‘Gem’, ‘Willamette’, ‘TGDL’, ‘Tonda di Giffoni’, ‘Mortarella’, ‘Casina’ and ‘Segorbe’ were 37.0% lower on average. However, percent kernel was 6.2% higher in the Turkish cultivars, possibly due to better fill of the small nuts by the kernels. In Turkish cultivars grown near the Black Sea, the pellicle is easily removed from the kernels by dry heat (85-94% blanching), but in Ankara the range was 0.0-47%. ‘Tombul’ and ‘Fosa’ had a very low yield (<0.05 kg plant(-1)), but interestingly ‘Willamette’ had the highest yield (3.12 kg plant(-1)) followed by ‘Pauetet’ (1.92 kg), OSU 720.093 (1.74 kg) and ‘Tonda di Giffoni’ (1.55 kg). These genotypes have short and open husks and could be grown in Ankara since their kernels may have value for processed hazelnut products or oil production but not for the blanched kernel market. The Spanish ‘Negret’ was the most sensitive to this harsh ecology, as the trees did not survive although they were planted several times.

SSR markers indicate a common origin of self-pollinating dwarf coconut in South-East Asia under domestication

The commercial cultivation of dwarf coconut is rare in the world, representing about 5% of global population. However, Dwarfs are currently receiving more attention, particularly for the harvest of tender nut water. Dwarfs are distinguished from tall coconuts primarily by their short height with an absence of a bole at the base of the stem, their early setting of nuts, their predominantly self fertilizing mating system and by large numbers of relatively small nuts. To date, the origin and domestication of Dwarfs has not been established. This study investigates the origin and domestication of dwarf coconut using molecular markers, mainly microsatellite (SSR) data. The inheritance of height and the presence of a bole was investigated in the F2 of a cross between Dwarf and Tall palms. The data suggest that the presence of a bole results from a single codominant locus. There was no strong association between the presence of a bole and height, with height also depending on a single codominant gene. However genetic and environmental factors make it difficult to assign individuals a definite genotype. SSR allele frequency differences between dwarf and tall accessions, ethno botanical and geographic information indicate that dwarf coconut originated from a typical domestication event in Southeast Asia.

English

The study was carried out between March, 2012 and January, 2013 at the University for Development Studies, Nyankpala campus, Ghana. The objectives of the study were to characterize farmer shea nut varieties to determine the physical and chemical characteristics of the shea nut butter and determine appropriate shea nut quality for the domestic market. The shea nuts were characterized as T1 (small nuts), T2 (medium nuts), T3 (big nuts) and T4 (very big nuts). These nuts were arranged in a completely randomized design and replicated three times for shea nut butter extraction and assessed for free fatty acid (FFA), moisture content and sensory quality. The study reveals strong correlation between shea nut size and butter quality with bigger shea nuts recording lower FFA and moisture content hence higher butter quality. There were differences in colour and texture of the shea butter extracted from the different shea nut sizes. It is recommended that, further research be carried out at different geographical locations to assess the effect of shea nut size on butter quality. Key words: Shea kernel, free fatty acid, moisture content, sensory quality.

Cultivar Type and Nut-Sowing Orientation Influence Germination and Plant Vigor in Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.)

The germination of cashew nuts and the quantitative plant vigor of the seedlings as influenced by small, medium, and large Indian and Brazilian cashew cultivars and five nut-sowing orientations (nut-side/side-positioning, stalk-end facing up, stalk-end facing down, scar-end facing up, and scar-end facing down) were investigated. The results of data collected on percentage germination, stem girth (cm), plant height (cm), number of leaves, leaf area (cm2), and dry matter yield showed that genotype and nut-sowing orientations significantly influence percentage germination (P < 0.05). Brazilian cultivars with medium nuts, irrespective of sowing orientations, had better germination than other genotypes. Brazilian cultivars with large nuts sown on nut-side and Indian cultivars with medium nuts sown on nut-side and with stalk-end up had germination percentage ranging between 86.7% and 100% at 4 weeks after sowing (WAS), while Brazilian cultivars with large nuts, Indian cultivars with medium and small nuts sown with scar-end down, and Indian small with stalk-end down had the lowest germination percentage of between 26.7% and 46.7%. The Brazilian cultivars with large and medium nuts both sown on the nut-side and stalk-end up produced higher dry matter yield of between 6.9 and 7.4 g/plant, while Indian cultivars with small nuts, in all sowing orientations, produced the least dry matter yield of between 0.73 and 2.5 g/plant. This empirical information will guide the farmers in the selection of planting materials and seed propagation for the successful establishment of cashew plantations with healthy and vigorous seedlings.

Chestnut Breeding in the United States for Disease and Insect Resistance.

The genus Castanea (family Fagaceae) is found in north temperate climates around the world, and is highly prized in many different cultures for its nutritious nuts and valuable timber. Selection for larger, better-tasting nuts has been ongoing in Asia and Europe for centuries. Early trade routes moved European chestnut trees (C. sativa) west of their native range (in the Caucasus mountains), and the Romans then moved them across their empire to provide support posts for grapevines, as well as for the nuts. Cultivar selection in Turkey, Italy, Spain, and Portugal has been extensive, and regional favorites developed. The many uses of the wood of American chestnut made this "all purpose" tree extremely valuable in its native range in North America. Nut production was important as a food source for rural families and many species of birds and animals. The other American species in the genus Castanea are classed as chinquapins, and may be divided into several or lumped as a single species. The small nuts from these trees and bushes serve primarily as mast for wildlife. Two serious diseases of chestnut trees changed the direction of chestnut research in the United States. Ink disease, caused by the root pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi, was discovered to be the cause of widespread death of chestnuts and chinquapins in the southern United States, which had been observed since about 1850. This imported pathogen probably came into the southern United States before 1824. The second chestnut disaster was the introduction of chestnut blight disease, which was first found in the United States in 1904. The pathogen causing the lethal cankers is an Ascomycete now known as Cryphonectria parasitica. The longest continuing chestnut breeding program in the United States is in Connecticut.

Nursery performance of American and Chinese chestnuts and backcross generations in commercial tree nurseries

The American chestnut [Castanea dentata (Marsh.) Borkh.] was decimated by an exotic fungus [Cryphonectria parasitica (Murr.) Barr] in the early 1900s. Breeding efforts with American and Chinese chestnuts (C. mollissima Blume) produced putatively blight-resistant progeny (BC3F3) in 2007. We compared two nut size classes for differences in seedling quality of bare-root stock grown in commercial nurseries. We compared the BC3F3 generation to parental species and other generations. Nuts in the large size class produced taller trees than nuts in the small size class, but sizing nuts prior to sowing did not reduce variability in nursery seedling size. Results indicate that overall seedling quality could be improved by culling small nuts, but seedling uniformity would only be improved by culling seedlings before planting. We recommend refinement of restoration efforts to match seedling size to site type and planting goals. BC3F3 chestnuts differed from Chinese chestnuts in 67% of tests, and were different than American chestnuts in half the tests, indicating not all American traits were recovered in this early phase of seedling development. Family differences within the BC3F3 generation were most apparent for mean nut weight, and only one BC3F3 family differed from other BC3F3 families in seedling growth characteristics.

COMPARISON OF NUT TRAITS AND QUALITY EVALUATION OF CHESTNUT (CASTANEA SATIVA MILL.) GERMPLASM IN LATIUM REGION (CENTRAL ITALY)

ISHS International Workshop on Chestnut Management in Mediterranean Countries - Problems and Prospects COMPARISON OF NUT TRAITS AND QUALITY EVALUATION OF CHESTNUT (CASTANEA SATIVA MILL.) GERMPLASM IN LATIUM REGION (CENTRAL ITALY)

Performance of cashew seedlings as influenced by AM fungi inoculations and phosphate fertilizers

A greenhouse investigation was carried out to determine the influence of Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (AM) fungus and two phosphate fertilizers on the growth of cashew seedlings from different nut sizes. Twelve treatment combinations comprising two phosphate fertilizers application using SSP single superphosphate, SRP Sokoto rock phosphate together with no P application control. Two cashew nuts sizes: small nuts (4 – 6 g) and large nuts (8 – 12 g), and two levels of mycorrhizal inoculations (with or without). It was a completely randomized design with three replicates. Mycorrhizal inoculation increased the height of cashew seedling at 2 and 4 months after planting (MAP) by 32 % and 23 % respectively. However, AM only increased the dry matter yield of cashew seedlings by 3.71 % at MAP. The dry matter yield and height of large nuts cashew seedlings were significantly (P Keywords : Cashew nuts, phosphate fertilizers, dry matter yield. Nigerian Journal of Horticultural Science Vol. 10 2005: pp. 47-51

SPECTRAL BAND SELECTION FOR OPTICAL SORTING OF PISTACHIO NUT DEFECTS

A technique using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR) was developed for selecting the optimal spectral bands for use in dual-wavelength sorting machines commonly found in food processing plants. A variation of a nearest-neighbor classification scheme selected the two optimal spectral bands given NIR spectra from both sides of an object. The optimal bands were determined for two cases: when both sides contain the defect of interest (AND logic), or when the defect appears on a single side (OR logic). A commercially available sorting machine was used to compare the sorting accuracy using the spectral bands determined with this technique to the accuracy using bands recommended by the manufacturer. The product stream tested was the removal of “small inshell” (small nuts with the shell intact) and shell halves from the stream of nuts with no shells (“kernels”). Results for the selected spectral bands averaged 1.20% false negative (fn) for small inshell and 1.80% fn for half shells with 0.15% false positive (fp) vs. 1.70%, 2.40%, and 0.70%, respectively, using the spectral bands recommended by the manufacturer. Optimal spectral bands were also determined and reported for a variety of other defects and unwanted materials commonly sorted in the pistachio processing plant, including adhering hull, stained, sticks, mold, insect damage and/or webbing, and black spots. Given the success of this technique in pistachio sorting experiments, it is believed that it could be applied to any commodity sorted using commercially available, dual-wavelength, NIR sorting devices.