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ARS Home » Plains Area » College Station, Texas » Southern Plains Agricultural Research Center » Crop Germplasm Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #171163
Title: PERFORMANCE OF NEW USDA CLONES IN NPACTS-C AT COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS

Author
item Thompson, Tommy
item Grauke, Larry

Submitted to: Pecan South
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/1/2004
Publication Date: 12/1/2004
Citation: Thompson, T.E., Grauke, L.J. 2004. Performance of new USDA clones in NPACTS-C at College Station, Texas. Pecan South. 37(9):4-10.

Interpretive Summary: New improved pecan cultivars (varieties) are needed for all pecan producing areas of the world. Trees need to produce more pecans each year and these pecans need to have a higher quality kernel. In addition, trees need to be more resistant to diseases and insects so that less insecticide and other chemicals have to be applied to control these problems. This report shows progress in producing improved trees for growers to plant. The USDA Pecan Breeding Program is divided into two main parts: the BBP (Basic Breeding Program) and NPACTS (National Pecan Advanced Clone Testing System). Controlled crosses are made and these seedlings are evaluated for a 10 year period on their own roots or grafted to large pollarded trees. Based upon initial performance in the BBP, a very few clones are selected to be tested in NPACTS. NPACTS tests are planned to be 15 year tests, and to duplicate the best commercial production practices for the location of the test. This paper reports the results of an NPACTS test at College Station, Texas. Data are presented on the performance of new clones, and they are compared to the performance of check cultivars. Some of the tested selections performed very well. Selection 82-15-21 yielded extremely well, as did 82-15-2, and others. These may be released as new USDA cultivars.

Technical Abstract: The USDA conducts the largest pecan breeding and genetics program in the world. The program is divided into two main parts: the BBP (Basic Breeding Program) and NPACTS (National Pecan Advanced Clone Testing System). Controlled crosses are made and these seedlings are evaluated for a 10 year period on their own roots or grafted to large pollarded trees. Based upon initial performance in the BBP, a very few clones are selected to be tested in NPACTS. NPACTS tests are planned to be 15 year tests, and to duplicate the best commercial production practices for the location of the test. This is needed to identify clones that will increase orchard profitability, which is the primary goal of the USDA scion breeding program. This paper reports the results of an NPACTS test at College Station, Texas. Data are presented on the performance of new clones, and they are compared to the performance of check cultivars. Selection 82-15-21 yielded extremely well, as did 82-15-2, and others. These may be released as new USDA cultivars.