Separation of Blank Pistachio Nuts by Mechanical Harvesting

The pistachio nut tree (Pistacia Vera L.), which is native to the Mid-East and Central Asia, was introduced into California in the :arly part of this century. Commercial plantings were few and small inti1 the last several years, but -here are now over 1,000 acres in xoduction and about 23,000 acres will come into bearing in the next l to 4 years. The majority of the dantings are in Kern and Kings, ounties, with some over 2,000 icres in size.