ISHS Acta Horticulturae 370: International Symposium on Tropical Fruits
QUALITY OF MACADAMIA CULTIVARS AND SELECTIONS IN SUBTROPICAL NATAL |
| Author: | P. Allan |
| Keywords: | Macadamia integrifolia, M. tetraphylla, hybrids |
| Abstract:
Hawaiian cultivars of Macadamia integrifolia have become the most important, commercially, in all macadamia producing countries. However, due to the greater diurnal and seasonal variations in temperature in subtropical areas, the quality and production of the original Hawaiian cultivars has been poorer than in tropical Hawaii. In Natal, South Africa, it is mainly in the hot (3 100 ° day heat units > 12.8°C), humid coastal area near Richards Bay, that the early Hawaiian cultivars produce nuts approaching the high Hawaiian standards of quality. For these cultivars, the warmer the area (from 2 050 to 3 100 heat units), the larger the kernel mass, and the higher percentage recovery of No.1 kernels. However the more recent Hawaiian releases, especially 741 and 788, and some hybrids appear to be adapted to a wider range of climatic conditions and also give good quality under cooler subtropical conditions. Percentage recovery of No.1 kernels from 34 to 39+% have been obtained. The quality of the more recent Hawaiian cultivars is generally better than that of the early releases. Management practices, as well as climatic conditions, affect the per cent No. 1 kernels. Several promising seedling selections of M. integrifolia ‘Faulkner’, grown in the cool subtropical Pietermaritzburg area, are producing nuts with quality equal to the high Hawaiian standards. They average 37.5% kernel, 98.4% No. 1 kernel, and kernel mass of 2.4 g, which is outstanding quality for this area. This shows that it is possible to find suitable local selections for cool subtropical areas, but their yield potential and roasting qualities must still be determined. | |
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