Australian almond breeding program (AL99008)

This is a final research report from Hort Innovation’s historical archives. Please note that as these reports may date back as far as the 1990s, the content and recommendations within them may be superseded by more recent research.

What was it all about?

This 2000-2006 study discusses progress with the breeding and evaluation of new almond varieties for the domestic and export markets and molecular techniques used to enhance the program. It outlines:

• Progress with primary evaluation of imported cultivars and breeding progeny
• Almond crosses achieved during 2000-2006
• Development of improved virus detection methods for almond
• Establishment of tissue culture techniques for propagation of almond
• In vitro conservation methods to facilitate small-scale storage of germplasm
• Investigation of transformation of almond
• Fingerprinting and molecular techniques used for almond breeding
• Generation of an almond genetic linkage map.

Field trials were established in the major inland almond-growing areas of Lindsay Point and Monash to investigate the potential for new almond cultivars to improve market opportunities. Over 29,000 almond seedlings were produced and planted at these test sites in the Riverland. The fruit is being evaluated for export and domestic appeal.

At the time of this report, the primary evaluation trials were established and some cropping and kernel evaluation had begun. The research is expected to identify superior cultivars for each growing area, with self-fertility, improved kernel quality and increased yield.