By Clint Thompson
The appeal of the pecan variety ‘Avalon’ is that it produces high yields and has excellent scab resistance in University of Georgia research trials.
But its recent susceptibility to scab in some Georgia orchards is a key development for growers contemplating planting the variety in the future.
UGA pecan breeder Patrick Conner noted in the UGA Extension Pecan Blog that he was made aware in May of a young ‘Avalon’ tree in Northeast Georgia with a significant scab outbreak.
“No scab had been observed in prior years, but scab was very evident on the first flushes of foliage throughout the orchard in 2025,” Conner said. “The reported levels of scab were high enough that I originally considered whether there had been a mix-up in the nursery trees. However, DNA testing a few trees indicated that they were indeed ‘Avalon.’”
Scab pressure has also been significant on some ‘Avalon’ trees in the southeast part of the state. It has been effectively controlled with a moderate spray program, but scab can be devastating on unsprayed trees.
“‘Avalon’ made it past our first screens and was resistant to the scab isolates residing in our test orchards,” Conner said. “New strains are likely developing all the time, so resistance levels are really just a snapshot of what the cultivar is doing right now to these strains of scab and cannot be considered a guarantee of future performance.”
Future Plantings
So, what do UGA scientists recommend as far planting ‘Avalon’ in the future?
“Since we can only test new selections in a relatively small way both in terms of locations and years, we recommend they be planted on a trial basis until more can be known about their performance,” Conner noted. “In the last few years, ‘Avalon’ has become a commonly planted cultivar, and it might be time to slow down a bit until we get some more information. Right now, it appears that scab can be controlled with a few sprays.”