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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 #197356
Title: THE USDA PECAN BREEDING PROGRAM

Author
item Thompson, Tommy

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/9/2006
Publication Date: 7/6/2006
Citation: Thompson, T.E. 2006. The USDA pecan breeding program. Texas Pecan Profitability Handbook. p. XX-XX.

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 paper shows how the USDA Pecan Breeding Program produces new cultivars for growers all over the world. 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. Based upon NPACTS performance, the best selections may merit release as new USDA/state cultivars and given Names of Native American peoples.

Technical Abstract: This paper outlines how the USDA Pecan Breeding Program is operated to produce superior new cultivars that are given names of Native American peoples, and released for planting in new pecan orchards. 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. These may be released as new USDA cultivars.