North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[Lucky Pittman <lucky.pittman@murraystate.edu>]

This sort of 'genetic drift' also occurrs in tree fruits, though to what 
degree, is anyone's guess.  Just look at the various Red Delicious and Gala 
selections that have been made from bud sports, with selection for larger 
fruit size, more intense red color, etc.

Even in pecans, there have been a few bud sports selected that I'm aware 
of.  A number of years back, Henry Converse (who just passed away yesterday 
a month after a massive stroke) selected a bud sport of the "Major" pecan, 
from a limb which consistently produced nuts 10-15% larger than 
normal.  Similarly, George James in Brunswick MO, made a selection from one 
of his pecans(I can't remember now if it's the James or James Early) from a 
branch that consistently had larger, darker green foliage than the rest of 
the tree.


Lucky Pittman
USDA Zone 6
Hopkinsville, KY