Abstract
Fifteen pecan (Carya illinoinensis) genotypes were evaluated over a period of 20 years in a test orchard located near Tifton, Ga. Genotypes tested included seedling selections (`Candy', `Maramec', `Melrose', `Moreland', `Sumner', and `Western Schley'), USDA releases (`Creek', `Kanza', `Kiowa', and `Pawnee'), and USDA selections (USDA 41-19-20, USDA 53-11-139, USDA 53-9-1, USDA 57-7-22, and USDA 64-11-17). Actual yields were measured for each tree in the test throughout the test period and the alternate bearing intensity (I) of each cultivar was calculated. Average annual nut production in years 1 to 10 ranged from 19 lb (8.6 kg) in the precocious cultivar `Candy' to 6 lb (2.7 kg) in the nonprecocious cultivar `Melrose'. Although a wide variation was seen in the average yield of clones in years 11 to 20, differences were not significant. A subsample of nuts was taken for each tree annually and percent kernel, nuts/lb, specific gravity, and nut volume were determined. Significant differences were found between clones for each of these traits. Most clones were not acceptable for commercial use in Georgia due to small nut size, poor kernel quality, or excessive alternate bearing. Recommended clones include: `Pawnee', which produced large nuts of excellent quality with an early harvest date, `Sumner', which produced large nuts of moderate quality with a late harvest date, and `Kiowa', a precocious bearer of large, good-quality nuts.
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