In a nutshell: pistachio genome and kernel development

Abstract

Pistachio is a sustainable nut crop with exceptional climate resilience and nutritional value. To advance pistachios as a future food source and a model system for hard-shelled fruits, we generated a chromosome-scale reference genome of the most widely grown pistachio cultivar (Pistacia vera Kerman) and a spatiotemporal developmental study of the hull, shell, and kernel. Our study defined four distinct stages of pistachio growth and maturation by integrating tissue-level physiological and molecular data from thousands of nuts across twenty-four time points over three growing seasons. Transcriptional and metabolic changes in the kernel elucidate molecular pathways governing nutritional quality, such as the accumulation of unsaturated fatty acids, which are vital for shelf-life and dietary value. This work yields new knowledge and resources that will inform other woody crops and facilitate further improvement of pistachio as a globally significant, sustainable, and nutritious crop.