2018 ASHS Annual Conference

Seven pecan (Carya illinoinensis) genotypes were evaluated over 15 years in a yield trial at Tifton, Georgia, USA. Genotypes included five cultivars; Cherryle, Excel, McMillan, Nacono, and Zinner, and ‘Desirable’ and ‘Stuart’ as check cultivars. Actual yields were measured for each tree in the test and a 50 nut sample was taken to determine nut quality. Trees were evaluated for leaf and nut scab infection (Venturia effusa) and black aphid (Melanocallis caryaefoliae) damage. Significant differences were found for yield with all cultivars performing better than ‘Desirable’. Cultivars also varied widely in alternate bearing intensity. ‘McMillan’ and ‘Excel’ had exceptional pest resistance, but mediocre nut quality. ‘Zinner’ produced consistent yields of high-quality nuts and had adequate pest resistance for this region. ‘Nacono’ and ‘Cherryle’ both produced large high-quality nuts and had moderately irregular bearing. ‘Stuart’ is an older cultivar that produces a low-quality nut and is no longer recommended to be planted. ‘Desirable’ is the most common cultivar in Georgia, but extreme scab susceptibility make it a poor choice for new plantings.