Black Walnut: A New Nut Crop for the Midwest

Eastern black walnut (Juglans nigra), is a native tree species valued both for its timber and nuts.  Individual trees require excellent soils with adequate moisture for maximum wood and nut productivity.  The vast majority of black walnut nutmeat production is centered in the western part of the species’ native range and is predominantly derived from wild, unimproved sources.  Historically, the size of this crop has ranged from 4.5 to 15.9 million kg. (fresh weight, without hull),  with less than 1% obtained from improved cultivars.   Alternate bearing is common in this species, primarily due susceptibility to walnut anthracnose (Gnomonia leptostyla).  Significant reductions in nut productivity caused by walnut curculio (Conotrachelus retentus) are common for unimproved, wild trees.  Based on a collection of 65 nut cultivars established by the University of Missouri, black walnut exhibits significant genetic variation for a range of commercially important nut traits including: precocity, percent kernel, nut bearing habit, anthracnose tolerance, season length and yield efficiency.  Exploiting this variation through traditional plant breeding techniques will result in new, improved varieties in the future.  Defining improved cultural practices that will significantly impact yield and nut quality remain areas of active investigation.  Such knowledge will need to be combined with improved cultivars that are well adapted to local growing conditions to insure the commercial success of this species over the long run.