Performance of New Macadamia Selections in Hawaii

Mike A. Nagao, Philip J. Ito, Tsuyoshi Tsumura and Andrea M. Kawabata

University of Hawaii, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources,
Beaumont Research Center, 461 W. Lanikaula St., Hilo, HI 96720

A trial was completed to evaluate performance of selections 294, 344, 741, 788, 800, 816, 835, 849, 856,
and 863 at the University of Hawaii Kona Experiment Station (elevation 390m). Yields from 10-14 yearold 856 trees were comparable to the highes t yielding 344 trees, while performance of 835 and 863 was
similar to 800 and 294. Selection 816 tended to exhibit a higher incidence of stick tights while 849
possessed thin shells and lower yields. Selections 835 and 856 are currently undergoing furt her testing at
the UH Waiakea Experiment Station (elevation 180m) in Hilo.
Quality and performance trials of selections (294, 344, 741, 788, 816, 835, 856, 857) are ongoing at the UH
Captain Cook Experiment Station (elevation 600m) in Kona. Nut and kernel quality data through the
summer/fall harvest season showed that these selections had 27-36% kernel recovery and 67-93% floaters
(No. 1 kernels) with kernel weights between 2.3 and 3.0 grams. The percentage of No. 1 kernels was
lowest in selections 816 and 857 (67%), while selections 835 and 856 had the highest percentage of No. 1
kernels (88 and 93% respectively) and were comparable to 788 (93%).
Evaluation of the newest selections (862, 879, 887, 896, 900, 932) is ongoing at the Waiakea Station.
Selections 879 and 932 have an upright growth habit, and 900 has a fairly thick shell which may provide
some protection against stinkbugs and tropical nut borers. Preliminary evaluations show that selections
879, 887, 900 and 932 have a high percentage of No. 1 kernels and are comparable to 344 and 800.
Introduction
Successful macadamia production in Hawaii is in large part attributed to research into the identification of
high yielding selections that produce kernels of superior quality. Although at least 13 cultivars have been
developed in Hawaii, 7 are presently recommended for commercial orchards (Hamilton and Ito, 1984).
They include Purvis (294), Kau (344), Kakea (508), Keaau (660), Mauka (741), Pahala (788)
and Makai (800). Two older cultivars, Ikaika (333) and Keauhou (246), can be found in older
orchards but are no longer recommended for newer plantings. Within older orchards 246, 333, 344, 508,
and 660 are planted most extensively, while some newer orchards are planted with 788, 800 and 294.
Research initiated by R. A. Hamilton and P. J. Ito at the University of Hawaii at Manoa have identified
several promising selections that are currently undergoing further evaluation. This report provides an
update on macadamia cultivar and selection studies conducted by the UH College of Tropical Agriculture
and Human Resources (CTAHR).
Progress and Accomplishments
Kainaliu-Kona Trial
To evaluate the performance of several new selections in the principal macadamia growing area in Kona,
an orchard was established in 1983 at the University of Hawaii Research Station in Kainaliu-Kona and
planted with the following selections: 294, 344, 741, 788, 800, 816, 835, 849, 856, and 863 (Ito et al.,
1998). The orchard site is at 390 m elevation, and the trees were established at a 4.7 m x 9.1 m spacing.
Wet-in-shell and kernel data for the 10 th through the 14 th year after planting showed that all selections
exhibited increasing yields during this period (Table 1). Over the 4 year period, mean wet-in-shell
yield/tree and No.1 kernel yield/tree for 856 were comparable to the high yielding 344 trees. Highest No. 1
kernel yields were obtained with 294, 344, 800 and the 856 selection, while lowest kernel yields were
associated with 741, 788, 816 and 849. Data on kernel characteristics showed that 294, 344, 788, 800 and
835 tended to have higher recovery of No. 1 kernels and had percent floaters (No. 1 kernel) ranging
between 86 to 91% (Table 2). Although 863 had fairly high wet-in-shell yields, kernel yields were low
(Table 1) due to lower recovery of No. 1 kernels.

Selection
294
344
741
788
800
816
835
849
856
863

10 th
25.9
34.3
19.5
26.5
30.3
22.9
24.7
19.0
41.6
28.1

Wet-in-Shell Yield (kg/tree)

Year after Planting
11 th
12th
13th
29.5
47.2
39.8
42.3
52.5
52.5
26.3
36.9
32.4
18.3
26.8
27.6
36.6
40.4
35.3
27.5
32.3
37.1
35.0
37.0
33.3
23.7
30.0
33.7
38.1
54.4
56.7
27.5
49.3
48.6

Mean + se
35.6 + 4.8
45.4 + 4.4
28.8 + 3.8
24.8 + 2.2
35.7 + 2.1
29.9 + 3.0
32.5 + 2.7
26.6 + 3.3
47.7 + 4.6
38.4 + 6.1

No. 1 Kernel Yield (kg/tree)

Year after Planting
Selection
10 th
11 th
12th
13th
Mean + se
294
7.1
8.1
12.9
10.9
9.8 + 1.3
344
9.6
10.2
12.4
12.4
11.1 + 0.7
741
4.5
6.4
8.8
7.7
6.9 + 0.9
788
6.7
5.0
7.5
7.6
6.7 + 0.6
800
8.2
9.8
10.2
9.1
9.3 + 0.4
816
5.9
6.9
6.3
7.9
6.8 + 0.5
835
5.8
8.7
8.1
7.5
7.5 + 0.6
849
4.6
5.4
5.2
6.8
5.5 + 0.5
856
10.2
8.6
12.6
13.1
11.1 + 1.0
863
5.2
5.0
10.1
10.6
7.7 + 1.5
Table 1. Wet-in-shell and No. 1 kernel yield of commercial macadamia nut cultiv ars and promising
selections at the University of Hawaii Kainaliu-Kona Research Station (elevation: 390 m). Trees were
planted in 1983 at a 4.7 m x 9.1 m spacing (Ito et al., 1998).
Although 816 and 849 displayed some promise in early evaluations, they will likely be eliminated in further
trials due to a higher incidence of stick tights associated with 816 and the thinner shells and low yields
associated with 849. Thin shells in 849 may contribute to a higher incidence of insect damage and poor
kernel quality in wetter areas when nuts are on the orchard floor for extended periods prior to harvesting.
Selections 835 and 856 warrant further evaluation over a wider range of growing sites, and both are
currently undergoing further testing in trials at the UH Waiakea Station near Hilo and UH Captain Cook
Research Station.

Selection

Mean
Kernel
Weight
(g)

Mean
Mean
Mean
Recovery Kernel
Percent
No. 1
Rating
Floaters
Kernel
(0-4)
(%)
(%)
294
2.9
36
3.3
91
344
2.7
32
3.2
84
741
2.8
28
3.2
69
788
2.7
36
3.3
86
800
3.1
33
3.5
86
816
3.2
31
3.3
75
835
2.4
32
3.2
88
849
3.0
32
3.1
73
856
2.6
29
3.2
79
863
3.0
25
3.2
63
Table 2. Kernel characteristics of commercial macadamia nut cultivars and promising selections planted at
the University of Hawaii Kainaliu-Kona Research Station (elevation: 390 m).
Jones (2002) has also developed information on the relative susceptibility of selections to damage from the
tropical nut borer (Hypothenemus obscurus) , southern green stinkbug (Nezara viridula) and the koa
seedworm (Cryptophlebia illepida ) (Table 3). Kernel damage from the koa seedworm is not common as
the larvae do not usually penetrate through the hardened shell. Koa seedworm damage occurs on nuts
between 20 to 28 mm in diameter prior to shell hardening and will cause premature drop which can
contribute to the volume of immature nuts picked up during harvesting operations. It appears that 800
offers the best protection against kernel damage from both the tropical nut borer and southern green
stinkbug, and in the few orchards where 800 has been planted this similar pattern has been observed.
Selection

246
294
333
344
508
660
741
788
800
816
835
856
Table 3.
2002).

Susceptibility to
Susceptibility to
Susceptibility to
Tropical Nut
Stinkbug
Koa Seedworm
Borer
husk damage
Intermediate
Intermediate
High
Low
Medium-High
Low
Low
Intermediate
Intermediate
High
Intermediate
Intermediate
High
High
High
Intermediate
Medium-High
High
Intermediate
Low
Low
Low
Medium-High
High
High
Low
Intermediate
Intermediate
Low
High
Medium-High
Relative susceptibility of macadamia cultivars and selections to insect pests in Hawaii (Jones

Captain Cook Trial

Nearly all commercial orchards in Hawaii have been established at elevations below 610 meters; also most
cultivars have been developed and tested at elevations between 90 and 579 m. A trial was established at
the UH Captain Cook Station in Kona to evaluate the production and quality of several cultivars and some
newer selections at this upper elevation site (600 m). The trial was planted in a 4.6 x 9.1 meter spacing,
top-worked in May 1988 and consists of 6 trees of each selection (294, 344, 741, 788, 816, 835, 856 and
857) planted in 2 replicates. Initial harvests were obtained at the 6th year after planting, however between
the 7th to 13th year (1996-2001) although the plot was maintained, yield and nut quality data were not
obtained.

Nut and kernel quality data from the 2002 (14th year after planting) harvest season showed that kernel
recovery for all selections ranged from 37.1 to 43.8% (Table 4). Recovery of No. 1 kernel, however,
showed that selections 788 (Pahala), 835 and 856 tended to perform better at this location. Although 816
had a high kernel recovery (43.8%), the low percentage of No. 1 kernel (67%) led to the low recovery of
No.1 kernel (30%). Selection 816 possessed large kernels but tended to suffer from stinkbug damage, and
had discolored and shriveled kernels. Although 741 (Mauka) has produced well in other trials at upper
elevations (Hamilton and Ito, 1977; Hamilton et al., 1986), results from this trial showed that 741 did not
appear to perform well at this site.
Selection

Nut Wt.
(g)

Kernel
Recovery
(%)

Kernel
Wt. (g)

No. 1
Kernel
(%)

Recovery
Whole
No. 1
Kernel
Kernel
(%)
294
7.3
40.2
3.0
87
35
83
344
6.2
37.1
2.3
83
31
77
741
6.6
39.7
2.6
74
30
76
788
5.8
43.2
2.6
93
40
75
816
7.4
43.8
3.3
67
30
85
835
5.7
40.4
2.3
88
36
87
856
8.2
38.3
3.2
92
36
65
857
5.8
39.1
2.3
67
27
88
Table 4. Macadamia nut and kernel quality of selections planted at the University of Hawaii Captain Cook
Research Station (elevation: 600 m).
Selection

Mean WetMean WetMean WetMean Net

Estimated
in- husk
in- husk
in-shell
Wet-inNo. 1
yield
yield
yield
shell yield
Kernel
(kg/tree)
(kg/tree)
(kg/tree)
(kg/tree)
Yield
Year 6
Year 14
(kg/tree)
294
24.7
66.5
35.2 + 4.1
30.6
9.9 + 1.2
344
24.7
62.2
36.6 + 1.4
30.4
9.1 + 0.3
741
25.2
60.7
34.0 + 9.3
25.1
8.2 + 2.2
788
24.3
74.6
35.5 + 4.5
33.0
11.4+ 1.4
816
19.7
70.5
42.0 + 1.9
28.1
10.1+ 0.5
835
29.5
58.4
33.0 + 5.5
29.0
9.5+ 1.6
856
20.3
67.5
43.2 + 3.8
39.8
12.5+ 1.1
857
18.6
76.6
48.6 + 5.5
32.5
10.5+ 1.2
Table 5. Wet-in-shell and No. 1 kernel yield of commercial macadamia nut cultivars and promising
selections at the University of Hawaii Captain Cook Research Station (elevation: 600 m). Trees were
planted at a 4.7 m x 9.1 m spacing and top worked in May 1988.
Yield data from the 2002 harvest season (14th year) and from the trees in their 6th year after planting are
presented in Table 5. Higher average wet-in-shell yields for the 14 year-old trees were obtained with 816,
856 and 857. However, when the percent No. 1 kernels is considered, the mean net wet-in-shell yields
showed that 788, 856 and 857 tended to perform better. The estimated yield of No. 1 kernel, which was
calculated from the percentage recovery of No. 1 kernel, indicated that 788 and 856 were better performing
selections. The trial will be continued to determine whether similar trends persist in future harvests.
Identification of Promising Selections
Identification and evaluation of new selections of macadamia is ongoing at the University of Hawaii, and as
part of this effort, preliminary quality data were presented from some promising selections established at
Waiakea Experiment Station (Ito et al., 1999). To update this work, nut and kernel quality from the 2000 to
2002 harvest seasons for these new selections at the Waiakea Research Station are shown in Table 6 and
are compared to 344 (Kau) and 800 (Makai).

Selection

Nut Wt.
(g)

Kernel
Recovery
(%)

Kernel
Wt. (g)

No. 1
Kernel
(%)

Recovery
Whole
No. 1
Kernel
Kernel
(%)
(%)
862
6.1
43.1
2.6
81
35
62
879
7.5
35.3
2.7
97
34
84
887
7.5
42.1
3.1
91
38
83
896
7.0
43.5
3.0
86
37
84
900
10.0
31.3
3.1
93
29
82
932
7.8
40.1
3.2
89
36
92
344
7.4
35.6
2.6
90
32
72
800
7.6
37.3
2.8
92
34
73
Table 6. Nut and kernel quality of potential selections at the Waiakea Experiment Station (elevation
180m). Data were obtained from the 2000-2001 and 2001-2002 harvest seasons.
Selections 862, 887, 896 and 932 selections had greater than 40% kernel recovery. The 900 selection had
the lowest percent kernel (31.3 %) due to a thicker shell, however, this characteristic may provide some
natural protection against stinkbug and tropical nut borer damage. Selections 887, 896 and 932 had
recovery of No. 1 kernel which ranged from 36 to 38% and were comparable to 800 in this regard. Among
the distinguishing characteristics of 879 and 932 were their upright growth habits which may allow for
closer tree spacing and higher planting densities in the orchard. New trials have been established at the
Kainaliu Station in May 2001 and the Waiakea station in July 2001 to evaluate these newest selections.
The trials will determine their yield potential, kernel quality and over-all performance.
Literature Cited
Hamilton , R.A and P.J. Ito. 1977. Mauka and Makai, two new macadamia cultivars suitable for high
and low elevation. Haw. Mac. Prod. Assoc. 17 Ann. Proc. p. 34-40.
Hamilton R.A. and P.J. Ito. 1984. Macadamia nut cultivars recommended for Hawaii. Univ. of HI,
HITAHR Infor. Text Series 023.
Hamilton, R.A., P.J. Ito and S. Foss. 1986. Testing adaptation of Hawaiian macadamia varieties at high
elevations. Haw. Mac. Nut Assoc. 26th Ann. Proc. p. 73-78.
Ito, P.J., M.A. Nagao, O. Kawabata and H.C. Bittenbender. 1998. Macadamia variety trials. Haw. Mac.
Nut Assoc. 38th Ann. Proc. p. 33-37.
Ito, P.J., M.A. Nagao, O. Kawabata and H.C. Bittenbender.
varieties. Haw. Mac. Nut Assoc. 39th Ann. Proc. p. 17-18.

1999.

Identification of new macadamia

Jones, V.P. 2002. Macadamia Integrated Pest Management: IPM of Insects and Mites Attacking
Macadamia Nuts in Hawaii. College of Tropical Agriculture & Human Resources University of Hawaii.
ISBN 1-929325-12-6.