Files
Abstract
Pecan and muscadine are important agricultural commodities in Georgia, contributing to both economic and cultural value. Pecan cultivars display wide morphological diversity, with nut shape influencing shelling efficiency and kernel yield. This study identified QTLs associated with nut shape traits in a biparental (‘Pawnee’ × ‘Elliott’) population using R/qtl, revealing consistent regions on ‘Pawnee’ chromosome 11 and ‘Elliott’ chromosome 8 linked to key morphometric traits. These findings support marker-assisted selection to develop cultivars with uniform nut shape and improved processing efficiency. Muscadine, valued for its rich flavor and health benefits, faces limitations in fresh-market expansion due to thick skins and soft pulp. To improve consumer acceptance, diverse genotypes were evaluated for texture traits and storability, identifying variation that can guide breeding for enhanced firmness and shelf life. Together, these studies advance breeding efforts to strengthen Georgia’s specialty crop industries through improved quality and marketability.