Selection of Homogamous Walnut from Seedling Plantation in South Kashmir

Abstract

Thirty two homogamous walnut trees were pre-selected from a total of four hundred and eighty two trees grown naturally in fourteen villages of district Pulwama of South Kashmir. In most of the trees flowering periods of male and female are overlapping at least for six days and recorded less than 25 per cent degree of dichogamy. The quality characteristics of nuts of these selected walnut types are quite valuable. Out of these homogamous trees, more than 80 per cent varied considerably in terms of yield, nut and kernel quality. Their nut and kernel weight varied between 10.23 g to 17.73 g and 5.20 g to 9.55 g, respectively. However, kernel percentage ranged between 44.83 and 56.35 per cent. These selected walnut types are adequate for commercial growth and can be utilized in genetic improvement programmes.