Mandan

Average nut quality of test trees 2002-2006.

History

'Mandan' was released in 2009 by the USDA for all pecan growing areas (Thompson, 2009). 'Mandan' was selected for its high nut quality, high yield potential, early nut maturity, high scab resistance, excellent tree strength, and late budbreak. 'Mandan' was derived from the cross 'BW-1' x 'Osage', and was tested as USDA 85-1-2.

Comments

We planted six USDA 85-1-2 (Mandan) trees in our trial orchard in 2002. The trees fruited for two seasons, and then we topworked the tree to a different variety. Subsequently 'Mandan' was released, and we replanted this cultivar in our trial in 2009. They have just begun to fruit in 2013. Right now (2013), 'Mandan' is one of three cultivars ('Mandan', 'Byrd', 'Pawnee') that produces a large nut in mid to late September. I have found 'Mandan' to ripen about a week after 'Pawnee' and about the same time as 'Byrd'. I can not recommend either 'Byrd' or 'Mandan' over the other until I get more data in from our trials. My guess is that Byrd will have much better quality than 'Mandan'. 'Mandan' is one of those cultivars where the numbers look very good, but when you look at the kernel it just doesn't look like a high quality kernel.

In terms of scab resistance, in 2013 both 'Byrd' and 'Mandan' had scab, and looked about the same'. Because of the lower quality of 'Mandan', I would plant 'Bryd' over 'Mandan'. Given what looks like mediocre at best scab resistance, and inferior kernel appearance, I am sceptical about the future of 'Mandan'. However, we will continue to test it and present the results as soon as we have them.

'Mandan' is a type I (protandrous) cultivar with pollen shed and pistil receptivity very similar to 'Pawnee' and 'Desirable'.

Take a look at William Reid's thoughts on 'Mandan' in Kansas/Missouri.

Another look at 'Mandan' quality at Dr. Reid's excellent blog.