Department of Genetics and Breeding

Conducting research on the collection and preservation of hereditary pistachio reserves and identifying them in terms of morphology and molecular markers, investigating the different pistachio rootstocks, and conducting controlled crosses for preparation of rootstocks resistant to biotic and abiotic stresses (drought, salinity, cold, pests, diseases, etc.), the use of different breeding and biotechnological methods to create rootstocks resistant to all kinds of pests, diseases and environmental and soil stresses are the main goals and objectives of the Department of Genetics and Breeding.

Other important functions of the department in line with the pistachio cultivar breeding program include the selection and introduction of new pistachio cultivars with higher quantitative and qualitative yield adaptable to different climatic conditions to be used in different pistachio cultivation areas, selection and introduction of more suitable fertilizing cultivars with higher flowering duration, higher amounts of pollen, and more fertility power. Also, conducting research on micro-hybridization and tissue culture for rapid propagation of selected cultivars and rootstocks is of interest to the research programs carried out in this department.