PROGRESS AND PROSPECTS IN NUT BREEDING

Efforts to genetically improve temperate tree nut crops began a few decades ago, and continue with generally modest levels of funding.
Progress has been made in all crops, and has been particularly striking in a few.
Activity to improve tree nuts has been less intense for tropical than for temperate crops, although vast genetic resources offer considerable potential for the future.
The current status and prospects for the future are discussed for each of nine tree nut crops, including efforts at mapping, marker-assisted selection, and transformation.
In order of world production, the nine tree nut crops are: almond, walnut, cashew, hazelnut, chestnut, pistachio, pecan, Brazil nut, and macadamia.
The small number and size of breeding programs is a major limitation to genetic improvement of tree nuts.