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CULTIVAR OPTIONS FOR GEORGIA ORCHARDSDr. Patrick ConnerUniversity of Georgia – Tifton Campus

THERE IS NO PERFECT VARIETYLook at strengths vs. weaknesses.Trade-offs will need to be made. Scab resistance vs. nut qualityEarly production vs. stable productionProven performance vs. new varietiesScab resistance vs. aphid susceptibilityDr. Patrick Conner

Scab Resistance A primary factor in cultivar choice. The resistance of a pecan cultivar will be influenced bythe races present where it is grown. There tends to more scab pressure as you go south andeast. Do not plant a susceptible cultivar if you can not spray.Dr. Patrick Conner

Alternate Bearing Mature trees tend to bear alternately. Generally, precocious cultivars bear alternately moreas mature trees. Will you summer shake to reduce your crop?Zinner - Avg. 31 lbs.1201201001008080Lbs. / treeLbs. / treeExcel - Av. 26 lbs.60402060402001234567891011121314012345678910 11 12 13 14Dr. Patrick Conner

Harvest Date Early nuts often have a price advantage.Will you be able to harvest the nuts before the crows?Will the trees be in a large solid block?Will the equipment be ready on time?What is the harvest date of your other cultivars?Dr. Patrick Conner

What not to base your selection on.“That’s all the nursery had left.” Talk to the nursery at least a year in advance, trees arein short supply. Some cultivars will not be widely available.Its better to wait a year and get all your treerows and irrigation ready than to plant a yearearlier and live with a sub-optimal cultivar fordecades!Dr. Patrick Conner

Cultivars with Excellent Scab KanzaRecommend ConditionallyCape FearCreekKiowaMcMillanRecommended for rZinnerDr. Patrick Conner

McMillan51 nuts/lb.50% kernel Thick shell limits % kernel.Color was dark in some years.Looks like a good quality ‘Stuart’.Doesn’t have the kernel “fuzz” that ‘Stuart does.Vigorous, productive tree.Dr. Patrick Conner

‘McMillan’ nutand kernel incomparison to‘Stuart’ in 2012.

McMillanAdaptability No scab in our sprayed orchard. Will scab in high pressure situations, butshould be controlled easily. Fairly wide canopy.Dr. Patrick Conner

Excel45 nuts/lb.50% kernel Very thick shell limits % kernel. Excellent kernel color. Good size.

‘Excel’ Productivity 2002- 2015Stuart - Avg. 29 lbsExcel - Av. 26 lbs.12012045 nuts / lb.50% kernelLbs. / tree1008010080606040402020012345678910 11 12 13 1447 nuts / lb.45% kernel012345678910 11 12 13 14Desirable - Avg. 24 lbs.120Lbs. / tree1008046 nuts / lb.51% kernel‘Excel’ needs summer shakingin the ON year or it willalternate.604020012345678910 11 12 13 14Dr. Patrick Conner

ExcelAdaptability No scab in sprayed orchard.Aphids not a problem.Weepy canopy.Very late budbreak.

Elliott77 nuts/lb.51% kernel Excellent resistance. Good quality kernel. Well-known to buyers. Alternates. Small nut size. Freeze damage in north. Yellow aphids a common pest.

Kanza68 nuts/lb.51% kernel Excellent resistance. Similar nut to ‘Elliott’. Cold hardy. Early harvest data, end of September. Small nut size. Tends to alternate.

Lakota51 nuts/lb.57% kernel 2007 USDA release. (Mahan x Major)Excellent scab resistance so far.Harvest end of Sept.Some variability in nut size.Little testing in this region.Some reports of low quality.Good tree vigor.Will need crop thinning!!Dr. Patrick Conner

Amling61 nuts/lb.55% kernelExcellent overall pest resistance.Medium sized nut.Pretty, oily kernel.Protandrous (Type I) flowering.Can pollinate ‘McMillan’,‘Excel’, ‘Elliott’, ‘Kanza’,and ‘Lakota’.Dr. Patrick Conner

Cultivars with Good anzaOconeePawneeRecommend ConditionallyCape FearCreekKiowaMcMillanRecommended for TrialAmlingByrdExcelLakotaMorrillSumnerZinnerDr. Patrick Conner

54 nuts/lb.52% kernelSumnerNut similar to ‘Schley’.Good scab resistance.Late harvest date.Preferred by black aphids.Can overbear as a mature tree.Very popular in Georgia as a scab resistantcultivar.Dr. Patrick Conner

Creek55 nuts/lb.48% kernelFairly early harvest.Overloads badly, needs crop thinning.Upright strong tree.Reported to bear well in competition.Only plant it if you will crop thin!Dr. Patrick Conner

Cultivars with Mediocre anzaRecommend ConditionallyCape FearCreekKiowaMcMillanRecommended for rZinnerDr. Patrick Conner

Oconee48 nuts/lb.53% kernelLarge nut size and good quality.Variable scab resistance.Vigorous tree is precocious.Does not like to be shaded.Preferred cultivar for black aphids.Problems with kernel rot in 2015.Dr. Patrick Conner

Cape Fear55 nuts/lb.51% kernelPrecocious and needs crop thinning.Scabs badly in some locations.Susceptible to bacterial leaf scorch.Dr. Patrick Conner

Cape Fear showingdefoliation from bacterialleaf scorch.Dr. Patrick Conner

Kiowa48 nuts/lb.53% kernelPrecocious and needs crop thinning.Variable resistance.Somewhat similar to Desirable.Dr. Patrick Conner

Zinner48 nuts/lb.56% kernelConsistent good production.Size similar to ‘Stuart’.Excellent kernel quality.Early-midseason harvest date.Dr. Patrick Conner

Cultivars with Low Scab KanzaOconeeRecommend ConditionallyCape FearCreekKiowaMcMillanRecommended for rDr. Patrick Conner

Desirable46 nuts/lb.51% kernel#1 Cultivar in Georgia.Extremely susceptible to scab, must be sprayedoften.Consistent bearing from year to year.Easier to grow in middle Georgia, notrecommended south of Hwy. 280.Dr. Patrick Conner

Pawnee46 nuts/lb.57% kernelReady to shake in Mid-September.Large, high quality nut.Will need to shake twice.Susceptible to scab.Easier to grow in middle Georgia.Veining and spotting is common in some years.Dr. Patrick Conner

New UGA ReleasesByrd, Morrill, CunardLow levels of scab resistance.Very precocious cultivars, will need top quality management.Not recommended for new growers.Huffman, Whiddon, Tanner, TomAll are new, have only been released a few years.Less precocious.Not clear what level of scab resistance will be.Recommend for trial only.Dr. Patrick Conner

Stuart48 nuts/lb.45% kernelWell known, but no compelling reasonto plant this cultivar any more.Marginal nut quality at best.Old trees can be profitable.Dr. Patrick Conner

My picks for small low-input plantings.McMillan – Favorite choice.Excel – If you need a larger nut than McMillan, must crop thin.Lakota – Trial only, must crop thin.Kanza – In northern areas to replace Elliott.Amling – (pollinator)Dr. Patrick Conner

My picks for sprayed plantings.Pawnee – Early harvest, good quality, sell it fast.Zinner – Steady bearing, high quality.McMillan – Insurance for wet years.Oconee – Large nut, good pollinator.Sumner – Late harvest, good quality, good resistance.Dr. Patrick Conner

Where to get more information.Pecan Grower’s Handbook.Pecan Breeding Website : Google for ‘UGA Pecan Breeding’Dr.Dr. PatrickPatrick ConnerConner

Dr. Patrick Conner

‘Zinner’ Productivity 2002- 2015Zinner - Avg. 31 lbs.12012048 nuts / lb.56% kernel100Lbs. / treeStuart - Avg. 29 lbs8010080606040402020047 nuts / lb.45% kernel0123456789 10 11 12 13 1412345678910 11 12 13 14Desirable - Avg. 24 lbs.120Lbs. / tree1008046 nuts / lb.51% kernel6040200123456789 10 11 12 13 14Dr. Patrick Conner

ZinnerAdaptability Will scab, but less damage than ‘Desirable’,similar to ‘Stuart’. Black aphid damage similar to ‘Stuart’. Upright tree form. Type II (protogynous) pollination.Pest damage from a sprayed Tifton trial, 2002-2015CultivarLeaf scab1 none4 worstZinner1.4 (3.3)*1.6 (3.3)2.4 (3.8)Desirable2.4 (4.0)3.2 (5.0)1.8 (3.0)Stuart1.3 (3.4)1.8 (3.8)2.3 (3.8)*Avg. (worst)Nut scab1 none5 worstBlack aphid1 none4 worstDr. Patrick Conner

CherryleNut Quality Large nut with excellent quality. Can have a split suture. A little dark in color some years.Average nut quality of test trees, 2006-2015, Tifton Ga.CultivarNuts /pound% Kernel50% ShucksplitCherryle4056Oct. 4Desirable4651Oct. 10Stuart4745Oct. 11Dr. Patrick Conner

‘Cherryle’ Productivity 2002- 2015Stuart - Avg. 29 lbsCherryle - Avg. 29 Lbs.1201208040 nuts / lb.56% kernel100Lbs. / treeLbs. / tree1006040208047 nuts / lb.45% kernel6040200123456789010 11 12 13 1412Desirable - Avg. 24 lbs.5678910 11 12 13 1412046 nuts / lb.51% kernel100Lbs. / treeLbs. / tree804Zinner - Avg. 31 lbs.12010036040208048 nuts / lb.56% kernel604020012345678910 11 12 13 14012345678910 11 12 13 14Dr. Patrick Conner

CherryleAdaptability Will scab, but less damage than ‘Desirable’and ‘Stuart’. Spreading tree form, limb breakage common. Type II (protogynous) pollination.Pest damage from a sprayed Tifton trial, 2002-2015CultivarLeaf scab1 none4 worstCherryle1.2 (1.8)*1.2 (2.2)1.8 (2.3)Desirable2.4 (4.0)3.2 (5.0)1.8 (3.0)Stuart1.3 (3.4)1.8 (3.8)2.3 (3.8)*Avg. (worst)Nut scab1 none5 worstBlack aphid1 none4 worstDr. Patrick Conner

‘Zinner’43 nuts/lb.57% kernel‘Cherryle’39 nuts/lb.56% kernel‘Desirable’43 nuts/lb.49% kernel

Nut size of cultivars.Cultivar11/ 1612 / 1613 / 1614 / 1615 / 1616 / 16Zinner0%0%3%33 %52 %13 %Cherryle0%0%1%12 %63 %24 %Desirable0%0%0%23 %34 %43 %Stuart0%0%1%17 %34 %48 %Dr. Patrick Conner

McMillanNut Quality Thick shell limits % kernel.Color was dark in some years.Looks like a good quality ‘Stuart’.Doesn’t have the kernel “fuzz” that ‘Stuart does.Average nut quality of test trees, 2006-2015, Tifton Ga.CultivarNuts /pound% Kernel50% ShucksplitMcMillan5150Oct. 6Desirable4651Oct. 10Stuart4745Oct. 11Dr. Patrick Conner

Zinner48 nuts / lb.49% kernel‘McMillan’ nutand kernel incomparison to‘Stuart’ in 2012.44 nuts / lb.43% kernel

‘McMillan’ Productivity 2002- 2015McMillan Av. 33 lbs12012051 nuts / lb.50% kernel10080Lbs. / treeStuart - Avg. 29 lbs100806060404020200123456789 10 11 12 13 1447 nuts / lb.45% kernel012345678910 11 12 13 14Desirable - Avg. 24 lbs.120Lbs. / tree1008046 nuts / lb.51% kernel‘McMillan’ will benefit fromsummer shaking in the ONyear.6040200123456789 10 11 12 13 14Dr. Patrick Conner

McMillanAdaptability No scab in our sprayed orchard. Will scab in high pressure situations, butshould be controlled easily. Fairly wide canopy. Type II (protogynous) pollination.Pest damage from a sprayed Tifton trial, 2002-2012CultivarLeaf scab1 none4 worstMcMillan1.0 (1.0)*1.0 (1.0)1.5 (2.2)Desirable2.0 (4.0)2.6 (4.8)1.7 (2.7)Stuart1.4 (2.8)1.1 (3.5)2.2 (3.8)*Avg. (worst)Nut scab1 none5 worstBlack aphid1 none4 worstDr. Patrick Conner

ByrdNut Quality Large nut with a thin shell. About 10 days after ‘Pawnee’ harvest. Large clusters at an early age.Average nut quality of test trees, 2006-2015, Tifton Ga.CultivarNuts /pound% Kernel50% ShucksplitByrd4858Sept. 18Desirable4651Oct. 10Pawnee4657Sept. 9Dr. Patrick Conner

‘Byrd’ Productivity 2006- 2015Byrd - Avg. 26 lbs.Pawnee - Avg. 16 lbs.12080Lbs. / tree12048 nuts / lb.58% kernel100100806046 nuts / lb.57% kernel6040402020012345678910012345678910Desirable - Avg. 24 lbs.120Lbs. / tree1008046 nuts / lb.51% kernel‘Byrd’ has very high yieldsfrom an early age, but willneed crop thinning.6040200123456789 10 11 12 13 14Dr. Patrick Conner11

‘Byrd’ MUST be crop thinned!

ByrdAdaptability Will scab and needs regular sprays, will have trouble with scab insouth Georgia. Upright tree form. Type I (protandrous) pollination.Pest damage from a sprayed Tifton trial, 2006-2015CultivarLeaf scab1 none4 worstNut scab1 none5 worstBlack aphid1 none4 worstByrd1.0 (1.4)*2.4 (4.0)1.4 (2.4)Desirable2.4 (4.0)3.2 (5.0)1.8 (3.0)Pawnee1.1 (1.7)1.8 (3.3)1.6 (2.7)*Avg. (worst)Dr. Patrick Conner

Pawnee vs. ByrdOf Note: ‘Pawnee’ is at least a week earlier, but ‘Byrd’ opens moreevenly. ‘Byrd’ is likely more precocious and productive than‘Pawnee’, but requires more crop thinning. ‘Byrd’ has marginally better kernel color, but can showsome of the same veining as ‘Pawnee’, both should be soldright away. ‘Pawnee’ can tolerate a fair amount of scab and stillproduce a good kernel.Dr. Patrick Conner

ByrdDr. Patrick Conner

Early Harvest eKanzaMandanByrdLakota ?MorrillDr. Patrick Conner