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ARS Home » Plains Area » College Station, Texas » Southern Plains Agricultural Research Center » Crop Germplasm Research » Research » Research Project #443446
Research Project: Pecan Breeding and Management of the National Collection of Carya Genetic Resources

Location: Crop Germplasm Research

Publications (Clicking on the reprint icon Reprint Icon will take you to the publication reprint.)

March 2026 USDA pecan breeding and genetics program update - (Trade Journal)
Chatwin, W.B., Hilton, A.E., Wang, X., Kubenka, K.A. 2026. March 2026 USDA pecan breeding and genetics program update. Pecan South. 59(2):32-39.

Carbohydrate budget of pecan trees and its impact on nut growth regulation Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Panta, S., Zhang, L., Heerema, R.J., Zhou, B., Zhu, L., Kaur, A., Ampatzidis, Y., Fontanier, C., Maness, N., Wang, X., Yang, M. 2026. Carbohydrate budget of pecan trees and its impact on nut growth regulation. Proceedings of American Society of Horticultural Sciences. 151(1):50-61. https://doi.org/10.21273/JASHS05561-25.

Co-expression network analysis in Carya illinoinensis cvs. 'Tiny Tim' and 'Mahan' identifies cell wall remodeling and inositol metabolism modules associated with nut size Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Labbancz, J., Chatwin, W.B., Dhingra, A. 2026. Co-expression network analysis in Carya illinoinensis cvs. 'Tiny Tim' and 'Mahan' identifies cell wall remodeling and inositol metabolism modules associated with nut size. Scientific Reports. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7843615/v1.

Comparison of methodologies for determining tree architecture in dormant pecan trees - (Peer Reviewed Journal)

Validating hickory species and hybrid classification with low-coverage and amplicon DNA sequencing - (Abstract Only)
Guillen, E.J., Wang, X., Kubenka, K.A., Hilton, A.E., Chatwin, W.B. 2025. Validating hickory species and hybrid classification with low-coverage and amplicon DNA sequencing. Northern Nut Growers Association Proceedings. Lansing,MI;03-06Aug2025.

The USDA ARS Pecan Breeding and Genetics Program is requesting participation in a survey for research focusing on Pecan Bacterial Leaf Scorch (PBLS) Disease - (Trade Journal)
Hilton, A.E. 2025. The USDA ARS Pecan Breeding and Genetics Program is requesting participation in a survey for research focusing on Pecan Bacterial Leaf Scorch (PBLS) Disease. Pecan South. 58(6):22-26.

Rootstocks impact on 'Pawnee' pecan growth, physiological traits, and soil microbial communities Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Wang, X., Kubenka, K.A., Chatwin, W.B., Hilton, A.E., Tondre, B.S., Xu, T., Zhang, L. 2025. Rootstocks impact on 'Pawnee' pecan growth, physiological traits, and soil microbial communities. Frontiers in Horticulture. https://doi.org/10.3389/fhort.2025.1603031.

Whole genome resource for Xylella fastidiosa subsp. multiplex strain GaT2 causing pecan bacterial leaf scorch in Georgia, United States Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Hilton, A.E., Bock, C.H., Brenneman, T., Chatwin, W.B., Chen, J. 2025. Whole genome resource for Xylella fastidiosa subsp. multiplex strain GaT2 causing pecan bacterial leaf scorch in Georgia, United States. PhytoFrontiers. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHYTOFR-09-24-0103-A.

Progress toward pecan breeding modernization in 2024 - (Trade Journal)
Chatwin, W.B., Wang, X., Hilton, A.E., Kubenka, K.A. 2024. Progress toward pecan breeding modernization in 2024. Pecan South. 57(11):12-15.

There's a new plant pathologist at the USDA ARS pecan breeding and genetics program - (Trade Journal)
Hilton, A.E. 2024. There's a new plant pathologist at the USDA ARS pecan breeding and genetics program. Pecan South. 56(11):30-37.

The effects of freezing and stratification on pecan (Carya illinoinensis) seed germination and seedling growth Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Wang, X., Kubenka, K.A., Hilton, A.E., Chatwin, W.B., Cox, T.M., Tondre, B.S. 2025. The effects of freezing and stratification on pecan (Carya illinoinensis) seed germination and seedling growth. Technology in Horticulture. 5. Article e002. https://doi.org/10.48130/tihort-0024-0030.

Alternative RNA splicing associated with pecan dichogamymunities - (Abstract Only)
Li, Y., Song, J., Randall, J., Chatwin, W.B., Wang, X. 2024. Alternative RNA splicing associated with pecan dichogamymunities. Proceedings American Society of Horticultural Sciences. Honolulu,HI;23-27Sep2024.

Investigating the effect of pecan rootstock on rhizosphere soil and root microbial communities - (Abstract Only)
Ren, W., Xu, T., Zhang, L., Tondre, B.S., Wang, X. 2024. Investigating the effect of pecan rootstock on rhizosphere soil and root microbial communities. Proceedings American Society of Horticultural Sciences. Honolulu,HI;23-27Sep2024.

The rootstock genotype shapes the diversity of pecan (Carya illinoensis) rhizosphere microbial community Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Ren, W., Zhang, L., Tondre, B.S., Wang, X., Xu, T. 2024. The rootstock genotype shapes the diversity of pecan (Carya illinoensis) rhizosphere microbial community. Frontiers in Microbiology. 15. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2024.1461685.

Quantitative trait loci for bearing habit in a 'Sparrow' x 'Schessler' Juglans nigra mapping population Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Jablonski, B., Meier, N.A., Chatwin, W.B., Coggeshall, M.V., Romero-Severson, J., Revord, R.S. 2024. Quantitative trait loci for bearing habit in a 'Sparrow' x 'Schessler' Juglans nigra mapping population. Tree Genetics and Genomes. 20. Article 30. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11295-024-01664-8.

Phenotypic diversity and population structure of pecan (Carya illinoinensis) collections reveals geographic patterns Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Wang, X., Stein, L., Black, M., Kubenka, K.A., Randall, J., Ding, C. 2024. Phenotypic diversity and population structure of pecan (Carya illinoinensis) collections reveals geographic patterns. Scientific Reports. 14. Article 18592. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-69521-1.

CertiBase: a genetic database for cultivars certification and genetic breeding of pecan in Brazil - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Poletto, T., Poletto, I., De Carvalloh Marques, C.E., De Sousa Silva, A.K., Kubenka, K.A., Chatwin, W.B., Gailing, O., Stefenon, V.M. 2024. CertiBase: a genetic database for cultivars certification and genetic breeding of pecan in Brazil. Crop Breeding and Applied Biotechnology. 24(3). Article e493924310.

A GWAS analysis of nut quality traits important to pecan (Carya illinoinensis) breeding - (Abstract Only)
Chatwin, W.B., Molik, D.C., Wang, X., Hilton, A.E., Kubenka, K.A., Provin, E., Udall, J.A., Randall, J., Mamidi, S., Lovell, J. 2024. A GWAS analysis of nut quality traits important to pecan (Carya illinoinensis) breeding. Proceedings Oklahoma Pecan Growers Annual Meeting. Ardmore,OK;30May-01Jun2024.

Quantitative trait loci for bearing habit in a 'Sparrow’ x 'Schessler' Juglans nigra mapping population - (Peer Reviewed Journal)

Standard area diagrams for pecan leaf scab: Effect of rater experience and location, and leaf size on reliability and accuracy of visual estimates Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Hilton, A.E., Bock, C.H., Wang, X., Jo, Y., Conner, P., Randall, J., Chatwin, W.B. 2024. Standard area diagrams for pecan leaf scab: Effect of rater experience and location, and leaf size on reliability and accuracy of visual estimates. Plant Disease. 108:1820-1832. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-09-23-1947-RE.

The genetics involved in the development of flowers, pollen, and nuts in protandrous and protogynous Carya illinoinensis cultivars: the half circle of life - (Abstract Only)
Randall, J., Harmon, A., Rhein, H., Marcus, M., Dena, F., Cervantes, K., Mason, K., Andazola, A., Song, J., Heerema, R.J., Wang, X., Sreedasyam, A., Lovell, J., Schmutz, J., Grimwood, J., Jenkins, J., Grauke, L.J. 2024. The genetics involved in the development of flowers, pollen, and nuts in protandrous and protogynous Carya illinoinensis cultivars: the half circle of life. Plant and Animal Genome Conference. San Diego,CA;12-17Jan2024.

A GWAS analysis of nut quality traits important to pecan (Carya illinoinensis) breeding - (Abstract Only)
Chatwin, W.B., Molik, D.C., Wang, X., Hilton, A.E., Kubenka, K.A., Provin, E., Udall, J.A., Randall, J., Mamidi, S., Lovell, J. 2024. A GWAS analysis of nut quality traits important to pecan (Carya illinoinensis) breeding. Plant and Animal Genome Conference. San Diego,CA;12-17Jan2024.

Effect of twelve rootstocks on the scion 'Pawnee' in a 10-year-old orchard Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Wang, X., Kubenka, K.A., Hilton, A.E., Chatwin, W.B., Pisani, C., Bock, C.H., Heerema, R., Randall, J., Tondre, B.S. 2025. Effect of twelve rootstocks on the scion 'Pawnee' in a 10-year-old orchard. Acta horticulturae. 1420:55-62. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2025.1420.8.

Store your pecans wisely - (Trade Journal)
Wang, X., Du, X. 2023. Store your pecans wisely. Pecan South. 56(10):42-45.

Texture properties, crude fat, fatty acid profiles, total soluble solids, and total polyphenols for 21 pecan varieties and the effects of harvest year Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Yusufali, Z., Liu, X., Wang, X., Kubenka, K.A., Du, X. 2023. Texture properties, crude fat, fatty acid profiles, total soluble solids, and total polyphenols for 21 pecan varieties and the effects of harvest year. ACS Food Science and Technology. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsfoodscitech.3c00216.

The development and validation of a standard area diagram to rate severity of pecan leaflet scab, and the effect of rater experience - (Proceedings)
Hilton, A.E., Bock, C.H., Wang, X., Jo, Y., Patrick, C., Randall, J., Chatwin, W.B. 2023. The development and validation of a standard area diagram to rate severity of pecan leaflet scab, and the effect of rater experience. APS Annual Meeting. Denver.CO;12-16Aug2023.

Relationship between carbohydrate reserves and budbreak of pecan trees in a breeding pool - (Abstract Only)
Kumari, R., Zhang, L., Wang, X., Maness, N., Pokhrel, N., Sun, Y. 2023. Relationship between carbohydrate reserves and budbreak of pecan trees in a breeding pool. American Society of Horticulture Science Meeting. Orlando,FL;31Jul-04Aug2023.

Influence of non-structural carbohydrates on dwarfing in different pecan genotypes - (Abstract Only)
Kumari, R., Zhang, L., Wang, X., Maness, N., Pokhrel, N., Sun, T. 2023. Influence of non-structural carbohydrates on dwarfing in different pecan genotypes. American Society of Horticulture Science Meeting. Orlando,FL;31Jul-04Aug2023.

Changes in the diversity of pecan (Carya illinoinensis) rhizosphere microbial community with different nitrogen fertilization, a case study in Oklahoma pecan orchard Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Ren, W., Zhang, L., Maness, N., Wang, X., Tang, M., Xu, T. 2023. Changes in the diversity of pecan (Carya illinoinensis) rhizosphere microbial community with different nitrogen fertilization, a case study in Oklahoma pecan orchard. Scientia Horticulturae. 321. Article 112365. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2023.112365.

Changes in the diversity of pecan (Carya illinoinensis) rhizosphere microbial community with different nitrogen fertilization, a case study in Oklahoma pecan orchard Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Ren, W., Zhang, L., Maness, N., Wang, X., Tang, M., Xu, T. 2024. Changes in the diversity of pecan (Carya illinoinensis) rhizosphere microbial community with different nitrogen fertilization, a case study in Oklahoma pecan orchard. Scientia Horticulturae. 321. Article e112365. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2023.112365.

Picturing Pecans: New Cultivars & Modernizing Pecan Breeding at the USDA - (Abstract Only)
Chatwin, W.B., Wang, X., Hilton, A.E. 2023. Picturing Pecans: New Cultivars & Modernizing Pecan Breeding at the USDA. Northern Nut Growers Association Proceedings. Columbia,MO;23-26Jul2023.

Impact of storage on kernel coat color, carotenoids, polyphenols, and physicochemical properties of five pecan varieties - (Abstract Only)
Pham, T., Yusufali, Z., Wang, X., Kubenka, K.A., Du, X. 2023. Impact of storage on kernel coat color, carotenoids, polyphenols, and physicochemical properties of five pecan varieties. National Meeting of Institute of Food Technologists/Food Expo. Chicago,IL;16-19Jul2023.

Picturing Pecans: New Cultivars & Modernizing Pecan Breeding at the USDA - (Abstract Only)
Chatwin, W.B., Wang, X., Hilton, A.E. 2023. Picturing Pecans: New Cultivars & Modernizing Pecan Breeding at the USDA. Proceedings Oklahoma Pecan Growers Annual Meeting. Tulsa,OK;01-03Jun2023.

Impact of room temperature storage on the pecan kernel color, carotenoids, polyphenols, and physicochemical properties Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Pham, T., Yusufali, Z., Wang, X., Kubenka, K.A., Du, X. 2023. Impact of room temperature storage on the pecan kernel color, carotenoids, polyphenols, and physicochemical properties. ACS Food Science and Technology. 3(6):1077-1089. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsfoodscitech.3c00087.

A GWAS analysis of nut quality traits important to pecan (Carya illinoinensis) breeding - (Abstract Only)
Chatwin, W.B., Molik, D.C., Wang, X., Hilton, A.E., Kubenka, K.A., Provin, E., Udall, J.A., Randall, J., Mamidi, S., Lovell, J. 2023. A GWAS analysis of nut quality traits important to pecan (Carya illinoinensis) breeding. Plant and Animal Genome Conference. San Diego,CA;13/18Jan2023.