<p></p><p>In the American state of California, where around 99 per cent of the industry is based, the area planted to pistachios is currently around 10,000 hectares, and some say it will soon overtake walnuts as the country's second largest tree nut crop, following almonds.</p> <p>In Australia, the pistachio industry is still far smaller, with industry figures indicating the current 900 hectares of land under pistachio production will increase to 1200 hectares by 2016. The University of California, Davis' pistachio extension specialist Louise Ferguson, says in the USA, growth in the industry is being driven by the hardy nature of the trees, and consumers recognising the health benefits of eating more tree nuts. Audio: American pistachio expert Louise Ferguson talks about the Australian and US pistachio industries (ABC Rural) </p><p>"The ability of pistachios to exploit marginal land, saline and sodic soils, as well as marginal water supplies," she said. "Walnuts need better quality soils and steadier supplies of water." </p><p>Australian growers have good access to research coming from the United States, and Ms Ferguson says this means they're up to date with the work of scientists and researchers in the industry. "It's interesting because the industry is very much smaller than what the US industry was 30 years ago, but the knowledge and R&D is almost equal to ourselves. "Australian growers have access to everything we do, and Australians are very inventive scientists." </p><p> </p><br><p></p>