Soluble solids concentrations in pecan liquid endosperm of several pecan clones

Variability in soluble solids concentration (SSC, degrees Brix) in liquid e ndosperm (LE) among individual pecan [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koc h] fruits and among fruits from different trees and cultivars using a sugar refractometer was determined at College Station, Texas, in 1997. Repeatabi lity of readings from LE from the same fruit was excellent. Fruits from the same tree did not vary for SSC, but significant differences among clones w ere common. Soluble solids concentration appears to decrease as the fruit m atures. The SSC values for two full-sib clones tone susceptible to water sp lit and one resistant to water split) were similar. This information discou nts the possibility that high osmotic water potential gradients alone induc e the water split phenomenon. A wide-range of SSC percents was recorded. A low of 0.5% was recorded for LE from a 'Houma' fruit, while 6.1% was record ed for LE from a fruit from a drought-stressed 'Burkett' tree.