STRIVING FOR THE YIELD POTENTIAL OF MACADAMIA

Macadamia integrifolia (Maiden and Betche) is a nut tree indigenous to Australia and is relatively underdeveloped compared with other commercial tree crops.
Average yields of macadamia are low, even when taking into account the difference in energy associated with the harvest product (an oily nut versus a fleshy fruit such as apple). Furthermore, only a proportion of the harvested macadamia nut is edible, the kernel being enclosed in a hard, stony shell which is, in turn, enclosed on a fibrous husk.
The harvest index (portion of the annual growth increment in the edible, economic portion) of macadamia is 0.17 compared with up to 0.65 for apple.
An analysis suggests that macadamia is about one third as productive as apple, indicating significant scope for improving productivity.
We suggest that an achievable yield target of 5 t kernel weight ha^-1 should be set for macadamia, a large increase from the current industry average of 1 t ha^-1 and best practice yields of 2.5 ha^-1 in Australia.
Yield and yield efficiency can be significantly improved by developing new cultivars with higher kernel recoveries, using current best agronomy and developing better growing systems.

XXVIII International Horticultural Congress on Science and Horticulture for People (IHC2010): International Symposium on the Challenge for a Sustainable Production, Protection and Consumption of Mediterranean Fruits and Nuts

R. Stephenson, J. Chapman

macadamia, production, photosynthesis, cultivars

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2012.940.13