Almond tree named `Durango`

Abstract

A new and distinct variety of almond tree which is somewhat similar to the `Peerless` almond tree, but distinguished therefrom by producing fruit that matures three to five days later for harvesting, hulling and shipping than the fruit produced by the `Peerless` almond tree, and which further produces a high quality fruit of medium size and possessing a soft shell; an important different characteristic from the `Peerless` variety. Specifically, the `Peerless` shell requires that a metal cracker be used to remove the kernel from the shell, whereas the `Durango` kernel can be removed with the use of one's fingers. This new invention has a rich flavor and is comparatively free of doubles (kernels in the shell).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETYThe present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of almond tree, Prunus dulcis, which will hereinafter be denominated varietally as `Durango`, and more particularly to an almond which produces fruit mature for commercial harvesting, hulling and shipment during the fourth week of August to the first week of September in the Orland area of the Sacramento Valley and which is further distinguished as to novelty by producing a soft-shelled almond; the kernel having a flavor characteristic that is excellent compared to `Peerless` and similar to `Carmel` with a high percentage of the kernels free of doubles.There are a number of criteria at which a commercial variety of tree fruit and nuts must excel in order to be a success in the commercial market. Among these are ripening date, flavor, texture and shipping quality. With tree fruits and nuts such as almonds the early ripening date, the quality of the meat of the kernel, freedom from an unusual numb...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The `Durango` almond tree is characterized by producing a soft shelled almond which resembles the `Peerless` almond but has some of the varietal characteristics of the `Carmel` variety. The fruit (nuts) produced by the `Durango` variety is ripe for commercial harvesting, hulling and shipping approximately in the fourth week of August to the first week of September. The new and novel variety, as stated earlier, is perhaps most closely similar to the `Peerless` but distinguishes therefrom as to the soft shell nature and it is harvested two to five days later than `Peerless`. The nut weight is similar to the `Peerless` variety of almond. The new variety is equal to or slightly larger than the `Peerless` variety with a high quality and high percentage of meat weight as compared to the total weight of the almond in shell (69%). The low percentage of doubles in the shell (0.4%) is an excellent characteristic. Although this new invention somewhat resembles the kernel quality of the variety `Carmel`, the meat of the kernel is light colored, similar to the `Peerless` variety.

Problems solved by technology

Almond varieties are characterized as to soft shell or hard shell; the latter characteristic makes nut (kernel) removal difficult and hard to market because of the nature of the shell, i.e., it is difficult to crack.

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