Introduce of Pecan (Carya illinoensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch) for Khuzestan Province

This investigation was carried out in Safiabad Agricultural Research Center (Dezful-Iran) for two years in order to introduce adapted pecan cultivars in subtropical regions of Iran. Gratex, Peruque, Comanche, 10J, Wichita, Mohawk, Mahan, Stuart, Graking, Choctaw, Apache, 6M and 3J cultivars were evaluated for some of their morphological and phenological characteristics. Among cultivars evaluated in this study, bud break was observed in Apache and Mohawk at mid-March and in 6M and Gratex at early April. Evaluation of flowering in these cultivars showed that Peruque was the only protandrous cultivar and all the other cultivars were protogynous. Pollination overlap was observed in Graking, Mohawk, Wichita and 3J cultivars just for 1-3 days while the other cultivars were completely dichogamous. Graking had the biggest and Apache had the smallest fruit among cultivars in this study. Gratex and Mahank had the highest and lowest percentage of kernel, respectively. Peeling was very easy in Choctaw, 10J and Gratex cultivars and very hard in M6 and Mohawk. Comanche and Stuart had the highest and lowest kernel oil content of 78% and 60%, respectively. Finally, five cultivars including Gratex, Graking, Wichita, 10J and Choctaw were recommended as superior cultivars while Peruque and Graking were recommended as pollinators for all the other cultivars in this study.