Scientists aim to breed easier-to-crack macadamias with more nut, less shell
SatSaturday 23
Professor Bruce Topp s research aims to improve production and profitability for the macadamia industry.
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If you ve ever risked your fingers while hitting a macadamia with a hammer, you ll know that the nuts can be tough to crack, yielding a small but tasty kernel inside.
Key points:
Macadamias have three layers: the outer husk, the shell and the inner kernel
Scientists aim to breed nuts that have tougher husks, thinner shells and larger kernels
Some of Australia s brightest horticultural minds are trying to change that by selectively breeding for macadamias with thinner shells, larger kernels and tougher exterior husks to protect the nuts from birds and insects.
Macadamia researchers are breeding thinner shells for bigger kernels and tougher husks for resisting pests.
The University of Queensland’s Professor Bruce Topp said these combined attributes would boost Australia’s $270 million industry, which earns $190 million in export income annually.
“Two thirds of every harvested kilogram is in the weight of the macadamias’ extremely tough shells. That’s a lot of wasted productivity,” Professor Topp said.
“The goal for many growers is to produce less shell and more kernel from each nut but with the shell still tough enough to resist pests.”
Macadamias are native to south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales but are grown commercially in places including Hawaii, South Africa and Brazil.