Genetic Variability in Pecan Fruit Development

Abstract

Fresh and dry weights of fruit (nut and shuck) samples of 39 clones of pecan [Carya illinoensis (Wang) K. Koch] were determined weekly from July 23 until harvest. One early maturing clone had accumulated 24% of its final fruit dry weight by July 23, when the average for all clones was 11%. Total fruit dry matter decreased during October for some late-maturing clones. These decreases, which were the most obvious in ‘Mahan’ and its progeny clones, were not as common in early maturing clones.