Pokhrel’s passion for pistachio earns FFAR Rockey Fellowship

Graduate student Amrit Pokhrel has secured a place in the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research Fellows program. He is one of 30 students across the United States and Canada this year to become an FFAR fellow.

FFAR’s Rockey Fellowship program is an opportunity for up-and-coming food and agricultural scientists to develop leadership and professional skills. Students will also receive two mentors from the foundation, which is a non-profit, public-private partnership established by the U.S. Congress.

Pokhrel works in the Tree Systems Lab run by co-adviser Giulia Marino, an associate professor in the UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences. His research on pistachio trees combines plant physiology with agricultural technology such as drones and sensors to find ways to improve orchard management.

“The pistachio industry is facing unprecedented challenges due to water scarcity and erratic weather patterns, harming growers’ profitability,” Pokhrel said. “My research on precise water management will benefit pistachio growers in the U.S. and beyond.”

The U.S. is the world’s largest producer of pistachios, growing 43 percent of all pistachios globally, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Pokhrel identifies physiological indicators of water stress in pistachio trees, which will help farmers irrigate effectively with limited water. He does his research on-site at commercial pistachio orchards, learning first-hand the challenges growers face and how to best address their needs. The California Pistachio Research Board provides funding and guidance, ensuring the research will be as impactful as possible for the growers.

Pistachios are xerophytes, which are plants that do well with little water. The word comes from the Greek – xero for dry, and phytón for plant – reflecting this species’ “remarkable tolerance for drought,” Marino explained.

“Pokhrel’s innovative research will deepen our understanding of how pistachios thrive in dry conditions and how cutting-edge technology can enhance their cultivation and management,” Marino added. She is a UC Cooperative Extension specialist and the UC Presidential Chair for Tree Nut Genetics.

International impact & giving back

Pokhrel is an international student from Nepal.

“As an outsider with limited opportunities, I believe I can highly benefit from the FFAR Fellows Program,” Pokhrel said. “The mentorship and networking aspect with other fellows from diverse backgrounds is an exciting possibility. This fellowship would help me improve my soft skills, work on professional competencies and network, and learn about the world of policymaking.”

This fellowship will help more people than just himself, he added. “I believe in giving back,” Pokhrel said. “I’ve been mentoring Nepali youths for the last three years in an NGO that I co-founded in 2017.”

Pokhrel also mentors undergraduates and helps organize the department’s yearly Plant Sciences Symposium, which is run entirely by graduate students.

Pokhrel is co-advised by Paula Guzman Delgado, a professional researcher who co-leads the lab with Marino; and Troy Magney, an associate professor, also in the department.

Over the next three years, Pokhrel and his Rockey Fellowship cohort will work with and learn from leading professionals, while building networks in the agricultural industry, academia and the public sector.