History

     This selection is from a cross made in 1970 of 'Kiowa' x 'Desirable'.  It was planted in the Ponder Variety Test in 1991 by Dr. Ray Worley.

Comments

      This is an interesting selection because 'Desirable' is not only the male parent, it is also a parent of 'Kiowa', the female parent.  This means this selection is genetically 3/4 'Desirable'.   So far the quality on this selection has been excellent.  The kernel has a smooth attractive finish, although the color is darker than I would like.  Size is good, and the shell is thin.  This has been one of the best selections we have tested in terms of high percent kernel, averaging 58%.  The dorsal grooves on the kernel are narrow, and this can cause some packing material to stick in the kernel.  Productivity has been good, with only a single year of no production. Harvest date is in mid-October. 

Scab resistance appears to be quite good.  On a single year we saw a bit of nut scab on one tree, scab was not observed in any other years with a normal spray program.  Black aphids are somewhat of a problem, and this pest needs to be monitored. 

Pollen shed is shed early in the pollination season, and receptivity is mid-late season, similar to 'Desirable'. 

This selection has looked good enough to us that we have propagated it, and distributed it to several growers around Georgia in the spring of 2006.  If it continues to look good in grower trials, the USDA will consider releasing it as a new cultivar.