Pecan Breeding

University of Georgia

UGA Pecan Breeding Method

Potential new cultivars are selected on the basis of large nut size, good cracking and shelling characteristics, early nut maturity, light colored kernels, and a cluster size small enough to ensure adequate filling. Resistance or tolerance to major insect and disease pests, especially pecan scab, are also major goals.

Learn more about UGA Pecan Breeding

On This Website ...

information for both commercial growers and home pecan growers
list of recommended cultivars
alphabetized list of all tested cultivars (with photographs and descriptions)
papers and publications dealing with the latest discoveries in pecan breeding, as well as valuable archived information

Program Coordinator

Patrick J. Conner Professor; Areas of Interest: Pecan breeding

Horticulture Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics and Genomics (IPBGG)

pconner@uga.edu 229-386-3903

Ag News

UGA Extension is hosting a field day for south Georgia pecan growers in Appling County on Aug. 28.

UGA Extension is hosting a field day for south Georgia pecan growers in Appling County on Aug. 28.

UGA Extension plans pecan growers field day for Aug. 28 in Appling County Posted on 08/08/19 by Chad Cain

University of Georgia Cooperative Extension will host the Southeast Georgia Pecan Field Day in Baxley, Georgia, on Wednesday, Aug. 28.

Hurricane Michael's strong winds uprooted pecan trees in Tift County.

Hurricane Michael's strong winds uprooted pecan trees in Tift County.

UGA Extension pecan specialist cautions growers about dieback of pecan branches Posted on 07/19/19 by Clint Thompson

Nearly a year after thousands of trees were destroyed by Hurricane Michael, Georgia pecan producers are reporting the dieback of pecan branches and leaf burning in trees that survived the October 2018 storm, according to Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension pecan specialist.

Andrew Sawyer (right), a longtime Agriculture and Natural Resources agent, will become Georgia’s Southeast District pecan agent on May 1. He is pictured with Extension pecan specialist Lenny Wells.

Andrew Sawyer (right), a longtime Agriculture and Natural Resources agent, will become Georgia’s Southeast District pecan agent on May 1. He is pictured with Extension pecan specialist Lenny Wells.

Andrew Sawyer named pecan agent for Southeast District Posted on 04/26/19 by Clint Thompson

The partnership between University of Georgia Cooperative Extension and the Georgia Pecan Commission yielded a new area pecan agent position for the Southeast District this year.