A NORTHERN PECAN POLLEN SOURCE DELAYS GERMINATION OF NUTS FROM A SOUTHERN PECAN CULTIVAR

Preharvest germination (viviparity) can be a problem with nuts of peca n [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch]. Two southern-adapted culti vars ('Cherokee' and 'Wichita') and one northern-adapted cultivar ('Jo hnson') were paternal parents in controlled crosses with the maternal parent 'Wichita'.'Wichita' x 'Johnson' seed took much longer to germin ate than seed from either the 'Wichita' x 'Cherokee' cross or the 'Wic hita' self, therefore indicating that pollen source may influence germ ination characteristics.