South African Pecan Nut Producers Association (SAPPA) started compiling observations of producers concerning pollination patterns, which differ from one season and area to another.
Two research projects were started shortly after the first levies were received; One by the University of the Free State and the other by the Agricultural Research Council. Production research was initially limited to the Vaalharts, as this was the region with the biggest concentration of pecan orchards, but later expanded to other regions.
Results from these trials and evaluations were used to compile user-friendly production manuals that were distributed to members at the 2018 and 2019 annual general meetings. The manuals are available to the public on the South African Pecan Nut Producers Association (SAPPA) website.
As more funds became available more projects were launched, with the University of Pretoria conducting research on the water and irrigation requirements of pecan nut trees and the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute researching the threat of polyphagous shot hole borer to pecan nut farming.
Research is also conducted to determine the health benefits of pecan nuts, the DNA identification of pecan nut cultivars, sprayer optimisation and zinc uptake.
New cultivars are evaluated over the long term under various production conditions, starting with thirteen different cultivars being planted at nineteen sites.
South Africa is the third largest international producer of pecan nuts, but volumes are quite insignificant as the United States and Mexico,...