ESTABLISHMENT AND EARLY DEVELOPMENT OF ‘KANZA’, ‘PERUQUE’, AND OTHER PECAN CULTIVARS IN NORTHERN US GROWING REGIONS

Most pecan (Carya illinoinensis) nut production in the northern range of the species (e.g., Missouri, Kansas) is from managed wild trees.
Orchards of trees grafted to improved cultivars are slowly being established in the region as economic opportunities improve.
Pecan cultivars that are potentially adapted to northern climates have not been thoroughly evaluated in the region.
Two young grafted orchards in southwest Missouri and northwest Arkansas were evaluated for early growth and development.
The Missouri site experienced severe freeze damage in October 2000, which significantly delayed nut production. ‘Posey’ and ‘Kanza’ have produced the largest trees at the Missouri site, whereas no differences in growth were observed between ‘Kanza’ and ‘Peruque’ in Arkansas. ‘Kanza’ initiated nut production earliest at both sites, and produced the highest yields in Missouri in 2012. While grafted pecan trees in northern regions may experience somewhat slower growth compared with trees in more southern climates, and may be susceptible to temperature anomalies, the trees in this study have performed well and are now entering full nut production.

I International Symposium on Pecans and Other Carya in Indigenous and Managed Systems

A.L. Thomas, W.R. Reid, T.J. Sauer

Carya, grafted, nuts, Missouri, Arkansas

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2015.1070.16