Studies on the Variability in Nuts of Seedling Walnut ( Juglans RegiaL.) in Relation to the Tree Age

Abstract

In the present studies of 125 seedling trees selected from a population of 500, the nut weight varied from 6.3 to 18.6 g, nut length 2.3 to 4.8. cm, nut width 2.1 to 3.9 cm, nut breadth 2.0 to 4.1 cm, index of roundness 0.6 to 1.3, pad (portion of nut where two halves are attached together) width 0.2 to 0.9, pad thickness 0.2 to 0.7 cm and shell thickness from 0.07 to 0.5 cm. The variation was also observed for nut shape, shape of base and apex of nut, pistil point (apical portion of nut), position of pad on suture, structure of shell surface, groove along pad on suture, adherence of two halves, primary and secondary inner dividing membranes, persistence of hull on tree after nut fall and time of nut maturity. The age of tree exerted some influence on these characters but differences were non-significant and inconsistent. Thirty trees with the most promising characteristics were selected and are described here.