Articles
A history of major California almond cultivars
Article number
1406_2
Pages
9 – 20
Language
English
Abstract
The evolution of the California almond industry from the perspective of the cultivars grown and changes in production areas is partitioned in two parts: 1850 to 1950, and 1950 to present.
Historically, California almond growers bred with a focus on yield.
In recent years there also has been increased grower interest in new cultivars that reduce production costs and increase sustainability, with self-compatibility (self-fertile cultivars) of prime interest.
The breadth of almond cultivars imported to grow in California and the cultivars that originated here are significant, although less than 30 major cultivars have thrived. ‘Nonpareil’, ‘Peerless’ and ‘Mission’ cultivars are the only three original California cultivars to survive from 1900 to the present.
Until 1950 there were seven major cultivars being grown in the state.
Chance seedlings were an important source of new cultivars and were often commercialized by the nurseries.
Most seedlings arose from natural hybridization between ‘Nonpareil’ and one of its pollinizer cultivars.
These sources have produced the ‘Merced’, ‘Monterey’, ‘Thompson’, ‘Price’ and ‘Carmel’ cultivars, and by the 1970s resulted in the new marketing category called “California” almonds.
Some new cultivars have become commercial as a result of the breeding programs and cooperative efforts at the University of California, Davis, the USDA, extension service activities, and private breeding efforts which explore objectives such as late bloom, high production and self-fertility.
These new cultivars include ‘Butte’, ‘Padre’, ‘Sonora’, ‘Winters’, ‘Independence’ and ‘Shasta’.
Historically, California almond growers bred with a focus on yield.
In recent years there also has been increased grower interest in new cultivars that reduce production costs and increase sustainability, with self-compatibility (self-fertile cultivars) of prime interest.
The breadth of almond cultivars imported to grow in California and the cultivars that originated here are significant, although less than 30 major cultivars have thrived. ‘Nonpareil’, ‘Peerless’ and ‘Mission’ cultivars are the only three original California cultivars to survive from 1900 to the present.
Until 1950 there were seven major cultivars being grown in the state.
Chance seedlings were an important source of new cultivars and were often commercialized by the nurseries.
Most seedlings arose from natural hybridization between ‘Nonpareil’ and one of its pollinizer cultivars.
These sources have produced the ‘Merced’, ‘Monterey’, ‘Thompson’, ‘Price’ and ‘Carmel’ cultivars, and by the 1970s resulted in the new marketing category called “California” almonds.
Some new cultivars have become commercial as a result of the breeding programs and cooperative efforts at the University of California, Davis, the USDA, extension service activities, and private breeding efforts which explore objectives such as late bloom, high production and self-fertility.
These new cultivars include ‘Butte’, ‘Padre’, ‘Sonora’, ‘Winters’, ‘Independence’ and ‘Shasta’.
Authors
K. Lapsley, R. Waycott, T.M. Gradziel
Keywords
production, marketing
Groups involved
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