EVALUATION OF FRUIT CHARACTERS IN DIFFERENT WALNUT CULTIVARS

Some walnut fruit characters, which can influence harvest and product quality, were evaluated in the following cultivars: Amigo, Chase D9, Corne, Eureka, Franquette, Grandjean, Hartley, Marbot, Mayette, Parisienne, Payne, Pedro, Serr, Tehama, Trinta, Vina.
The research was carried on in 1990 in an orchard located in northern Italy.

Three aspects were studied: date of maturity and range of maturity period, browning of kernels in nuts left on the ground after dropping, cracking resistance and seal quality of shell.

The results of this research showed:

• the maturity period for all the cultivars studied in that year varied from September 7 to October 5; the range of maturity period varied from 10 days for Franquette to 24 days for Serr;

• in a 25 days period no kernel browning was observed in Corne, Pedro, Serr; a remarkable kernel browning was observed in Eureka, Trinta, Vina and Chase D9;

• significant differences of cracking resistance were observed in nut shells subjected to forces; the highest values were noted in Franquette and Trinta, the lowest in Amigo.

International Walnut Meeting

L. Radicati, G. Vergano, I. Martino

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1993.311.7