Pecan Nut Cultivars

A large number of pecan varieties have been developed through the selection of desirable seedling trees. Selection of disease resistant varieties is a major consideration in areas experiencing high humidity and poor air circulation. Description of some of the promising pecan cultivars is given below.

1. Stuart
It is a popular old cultivar which has originated as seedling in Mississippi. Nuts are large, of high quality and with well defined markings and a fairly thick shell. The tree is a moderate bearer.

2. Desirable
It is a hybrid between Success x Jewett or Russell. The nut is large with a semi thin shell which cracks easily. The tree comes to bearing early, very prolific and regular bearer and is also resistant to scab. The planting of this variety with other varieties facilitates pollination.

3. Nellis
Nuts are long and shells are thin. Kernels are of good quality.

4. Mahan
The tree is vigorous, precocious, prolific bearer with good foliage. The nuts are extra large shell, thin and tend to poor filling on older trees. It is a good variety for the areas which receive abnormal rainfall.

5. Western
It is the most commonly planted cultivar in the U.S.A. and has originated from the cross between a seedling and the variety Texas. Nuts are medium sized, thin shelled and having good kernel quality. It is a prolific bearer and suitable for high density planting. It is susceptible to scab disease.

6. Wichita
It is a hybrid between Halbert X Mohan. It is very popular cultivar being one of the most precocious and prolific of all cultivars. The nuts are of medium size, attractive appearance, high quality and have high kernel percentage. It is susceptible to scab disease. For effective pollination, the cultivar should be grown with Western or Cheyenne.

7. Cheyenne
It is a cross between Clark and Adom. The tree is very precious, productive, scab resistant and recommended for high density planting. For effective pollination, it should be grown with Wichita.

8. Mohawk
It is a cross between Success X Mahan. The tree is precocious, prolific, vigorous and fairly resistant to disease. Nuts are elongated, thin shelled, very attractive and have kernel percentage of 55-60. The kernels are quite smooth, easily shelled and of high quality.

9. Burkett
Nuts are large round with a semi thin shell. They are not easily separated from the kernel.

10. Elliott
It is an early maturing with small round nut. The nuts have medium thick shell and good flavor. The trees are vigorous and regular bearer. It is resistant to scab disease.

11. Curtis
The variety is suitable for lower elevations experiencing a long growing season. The nut is small thin shelled suitable for shelling. The kernel is of high quality. It is moderately resistant to scab disease.

12. Pawnee
This is a selection from Mohawk X Starking Hardy Giant crosses. It is an early, prolific and fast growing variety in young age. Nut quality is excellent with good size, appearance and kernel percentage. The plant is tolerant to scab disease.

13. Moore
It produces good crops of small nuts but it is susceptible to scab.

14. Cape Fear
The variety produces fairly large nuts. Shell cracks well and possesses high quality. Trees are highly productive and start bearing fruit after seven to eight years of age.

15. Ukulinga
This variety has originated as a chance seedling in South Africa. It is suitable for humid tropical regions. The nuts are large, shell medium thick and kernel percentage is 52 -54. It is less prone to irregular bearing.

V. Propagation

Pecan can be propagated both by seed as well as vegetative methods. However, it is commercially propagated by budding or grafting on seedling rootstock.