Strategies to Manage Pistachio Dieback Diseases

Mohadeseh Hassanisaadi (PhD)¹, Roohallah Saberi Riseh (PhD)^1,2*, Masoumeh Vatankhah (PhD Studen)¹

¹ Departement of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Vali-e-Asr University of Rafsanjan, Rafsanjan, Iran

² Pistachio Safety Research Center, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran

Received: 10.06.2024  Accepted: 15.09.2024

Abstract

Pistachio (Pistacia vera L., Anacardiaceae) is an economically important nut crop cultivated worldwide, but the devastating dieback disease threatens its production. As an important disease in pistachio, it is characterized by the wilting and death of branches, often leading to tree decline and eventual death. Several biotic agents, including fungal pathogens like Botryosphaeria dothidea, Dothiorella viticola, Phaeoacremonium parasiticum, Paecilomyces formosus, Paecilomyces variotii, as well as bacterial agents such as Xanthomonas translucens, have been identified as causal agents of pistachio dieback. Furthermore, abiotic factors, such as high salt levels, insufficient nutrient supply, and improper orchard watering, can increase plants’ vulnerability to this disease. This review article highlights the importance of pistachio cultivation and the symptoms associated with dieback trees. Also, this article investigates the role of abiotic and biotic agents in dieback occurrence. The article discusses nonbiological strategies, such as chemical control using fungicides and bactericides, cultural methods like pruning and sanitation, and biological strategies involving antagonistic bacteria and fungi. As the disease’s complexity and diversity of causative factors make long-term control difficult, future research should focus on integrated disease control techniques that target many disease cycle stages to preserve pistachio crops worldwide.

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