Carbonic Acid for Tree Nuts

Water pH control for almond, pistachio, and walnut growers. No sulfuric acid, no residual salts.

The Central Valley's High-pH Water Problem, Without Sulfuric Acid

ECO2MIX does the same water pH control job as sulfuric acid, without the bulk acid tank, the corrosion, or anyone on your crew handling it. A fixed price per acre per year covers installation, CO₂ supply, remote monitoring, and maintenance.

Almonds, pistachios, and walnuts are 20 to 40 year investments, so what the water leaves behind compounds. Side-by-side Haney tests on one Central Valley farm measured a 69% rise in CO₂ respiration and a 12.34% rise in microbial diversity on the carbonic acid block, while the sulfuric block declined on both. A three-year study at six pistachio farms is underway at Fresno State. See how the two acids compare.

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Mature pistachio orchard in California's Central Valley
~50%
Bicarbonate reduction at target pH
1,000+
acres one pump station can treat
CCOF
Certified organic approved
0
Residual sulfates or salts added
Silas Rossow, President, California Ag Solutions

“What we've recognized is because we're so focused on soil health and biology — what we're doing with carbonic acid makes a huge shift in improving the microbial health, to where we can cycle nutrition more effectively into the tree. Surprisingly, even though we sell fertilizers, we're able to see a reduction in inputs because we're improving the soil.”

Silas Rossow
Silas Rossow President, California Ag Solutions, Madera, CA
  • Improved microbial health across multiple tree nut operations
  • Reduced fertilizer inputs while maintaining yields

Why Growers Choose ECO2MIX

Nutrient Availability

Above pH 7.0, iron, zinc, and phosphorus lock up. Water delivered at pH 6.5 to 6.6 keeps the root zone in range through the season.

Soil Structure

Bicarbonates displace calcium and let sodium accumulate, degrading structure over years. Removing them at the source protects the orchard for its productive life.

Scale Prevention

Bicarbonate scale in drip tape and micro-sprinklers costs you distribution uniformity. Treating at the pump station keeps emitters clean.

How It Works

  1. 01

    CO2 injection at the pump station

    CO₂ from a dedicated supply tank enters the water line right after your pump, before water reaches the field.

  2. 02

    Pressurized dissolution

    Inside the reactor, CO₂ dissolves under pressure and forms carbonic acid throughout the water stream.

  3. 03

    Real-time water pH control

    A downstream probe reads pH continuously and the controller adjusts the CO₂ dose to hold 6.5 to 6.6, whatever the flow rate or source does.

  4. 04

    Remote monitoring and service

    A technician calibrates the probe and replenishes CO₂ every 6 to 8 weeks. Nothing for your crew to do in between.

From the Blog

Sustainable Water pH Treatment for Almonds

Sustainable Water pH Treatment for Almonds

April 17, 2025  ·  agriculturealmondwater-ph-control

Keeping the almond industry alive and healthy in California. Due to rising costs, uncertain demand, and rising input costs for almonds, growers across California are looking for ways to cut costs and increase production.

Read more →
Why an Agronomist Puts His Growers on Carbonic Acid

Why an Agronomist Puts His Growers on Carbonic Acid

August 27, 2026  ·  agriculturewater-ph-controlsafety

Eryn Gray owns AgroSource and has advised growers for 20 years. He explains why carbonic acid water pH control replaced the water treatment products he used to recommend.

Read more →
Can Carbonic Acid Support Blackberries?

Can Carbonic Acid Support Blackberries?

August 27, 2026  ·  agriculturecane-berrywater-ph-control

Phillip Adam of Innovative Produce in Santa Maria compares ECO2MIX carbonic acid water pH control against the sulfur burner and the untreated water he used on his blackberry blocks before it.

Read more →
See All Agriculture Articles →

Common Questions

How does carbonic acid protect drip lines and emitters from scale?
Bicarbonates in irrigation water react with calcium and magnesium to form calcium carbonate scale inside drip tape, emitters, and pressure regulators. Treating water at the pump station removes bicarbonates before they can precipitate anywhere in the field. Growers who switch from untreated high-pH water report cleaner lines, more consistent emitter output, and lower maintenance frequency.
What target pH is recommended for almonds, pistachios, and walnuts?
Most tree nut operations target 6.5–6.6. At this range, iron, manganese, zinc, and phosphorus reach maximum availability, and calcium and magnesium remain in solution rather than precipitating as scale. Soil tests taken over the growing season can confirm whether root zone pH is shifting toward target as expected.
Is ECO2MIX approved for certified organic tree nut operations?
Yes. ECO2MIX carbonic acid is CCOF-approved and is pending approval by the NOSB for the USDA National List of Allowed Substances. Organic almond and pistachio operations in California's San Joaquin Valley and Central Coast use it alongside their certifier programs.
What happens to soil structure with long-term carbonic acid treatment?
High-pH, high-bicarbonate water displaces calcium from soil exchange sites over seasons and years, allowing sodium to accumulate and soil structure to degrade. Lowering water pH stops that cycle and keeps calcium and magnesium in solution where crops can use them. Soil sampling data from ECO2MIX installations shows improved CO₂ respiration and microbial diversity compared to sulfuric acid blocks, supporting the long-term structure recovery deep-rooted tree crops need.
Can one unit cover a ranch with multiple pump stations?
Each pump station needs its own unit, but they can all be monitored centrally. A single unit usually treats 40 or more acres from one pump station, and the equipment can treat over 1,000 acres from one pump station at flow rates over 5,000 GPM. For large ranches with multiple stations, ECO2MIX sizes and installs each unit and integrates them into a single monitoring dashboard.
Is there ongoing research on carbonic acid for tree nuts?
Yes. A three-year soil health study comparing carbonic acid and sulfuric acid irrigation treatment is underway at six pistachio farms in California's Central Valley. The study measures long-term soil carbon storage, microbial health, and nutrient cycling. It began in 2026 and is ongoing. The study is led by Dr. Bansal at Fresno State and supported by American Pistachio Growers, F3i, the California Energy Commission, and other partners. ECO2MIX will publish findings as they become available.
ECO2MIX Agriculture One-Pager

ECO2MIX Agriculture One-Pager

One-page summary of the ECO2MIX carbonic acid system for agriculture: benefits, how it works, and contact info.

View One-Pager ↗

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Tell us your water source, acreage, and pump station setup. We'll size a system and send a proposal. No obligation.

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