Articles
History of almond improvement in California: challenges and opportunities
Article number
1406_1
Pages
1 – 8
Language
English
Abstract
Almond production in California has benefited from the introduction of a wealth of germplasm and crop management knowledge from around the world.
Almond was introduced to California by Spanish colonists, primarily as traditional low-input and low-return plantings associated with the early coastal Missions.
Beginning with the 1849 gold rush and continuing into the early 1900s, a huge diversity of cultivars and growing methods was introduced by immigrants from all parts of the globe.
A major production revolution occurred with the subsequent widespread adoption of peach and plum derived rootstocks which allowed high-input and high-return production to take place in the more favorable growing conditions of the Central Valley.
Excellent growing conditions and access to dependable irrigation water allowed greater emphasis on high production and market quality with the cultivar ‘Nonpareil’ dominating new plantings.
Other cultivars were planted primarily as pollenizers for ‘Nonpareil’, with many having ‘Nonpareil’ as a pollen parent.
The recent introduction of self-compatible cultivars has allowed the planting of single-cultivar orchards, improving overall orchard management efficiency.
The extensive use of ‘Tuono’ by breeders as a source of self-compatibility, however, has further reduced genetic diversity in modern cultivars, threatening both yield potential and market value and dramatically reducing genetic options at a time when traditional management tools for irrigation, fertilization and disease and pest control are becoming increasingly limited.
Genetic options for these emerging challenges are available in this expanded breeding germplasm but may require a rethinking of established orchard, tree, and nut management practices.
Almond was introduced to California by Spanish colonists, primarily as traditional low-input and low-return plantings associated with the early coastal Missions.
Beginning with the 1849 gold rush and continuing into the early 1900s, a huge diversity of cultivars and growing methods was introduced by immigrants from all parts of the globe.
A major production revolution occurred with the subsequent widespread adoption of peach and plum derived rootstocks which allowed high-input and high-return production to take place in the more favorable growing conditions of the Central Valley.
Excellent growing conditions and access to dependable irrigation water allowed greater emphasis on high production and market quality with the cultivar ‘Nonpareil’ dominating new plantings.
Other cultivars were planted primarily as pollenizers for ‘Nonpareil’, with many having ‘Nonpareil’ as a pollen parent.
The recent introduction of self-compatible cultivars has allowed the planting of single-cultivar orchards, improving overall orchard management efficiency.
The extensive use of ‘Tuono’ by breeders as a source of self-compatibility, however, has further reduced genetic diversity in modern cultivars, threatening both yield potential and market value and dramatically reducing genetic options at a time when traditional management tools for irrigation, fertilization and disease and pest control are becoming increasingly limited.
Genetic options for these emerging challenges are available in this expanded breeding germplasm but may require a rethinking of established orchard, tree, and nut management practices.
Authors
T.M. Gradziel
Keywords
genetic improvement, inbreeding, self-compatibility, genetic diversity, paradormancy
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