Comparing Macadamia Cultivars: Which is Right for Your Farm?

Choosing the right macadamia cultivar is critical to optimizing yields, quality, and long-term profitability. Here, we compare popular macadamia cultivars based on their unique characteristics, growth habits, and performance under various conditions.

Macadamia Comparison Chart

Beaumont (695)

Hybrid | Late-season harvest

  • Bearing: Earliest bearer of all cultivars, producing by year 3, with an average of 500 kg/ha.
  • Yield: Consistent 3–4 t/ha at maturity.
  • Growth: Vigorous with reddish-pink flush and aggressive regrowth after pruning.
  • Climate Adaptability: Resilient in various conditions.
  • Flowering: Late, in September, with pink-hued, fragrant flowers.
  • Nut Quality: Smaller nuts; TKR up to 35%.
  • Challenges: Thrip susceptibility and requires careful harvest management.

A4 (Australian Hybrid)

Early-season harvest

  • Bearing: Produces by year 4–5, earlier than A16 but later than Beaumont.
  • Yield: Moderate at 3–4 t/ha, alternate bearing tendency.
  • Growth: Open canopy but brittle, viny branches prone to wind damage.
  • Nut Quality: Large kernels (3.5–4 g); TKR averages 39–50%.
  • Flowering: Late, with yellow-hued blossoms in September.
  • Challenges: Husks can stick if insufficiently dry; thrives in cooler climates.

A16 (Australian Hybrid)

Mid-season harvest

  • Bearing: Early, by year 4–5, but after Beaumont and A4.
  • Yield: Higher yields than A4, up to 3 t/ha.
  • Growth: Upright growth but brittle branches; aggressive regrowth post-pruning.
  • Nut Quality: Large kernels; TKR maxes at 40%.
  • Flowering: Extends into October with yellow-hued blossoms.
  • Challenges: Thrip susceptibility and challenges with pruning density.

Nelmak 2 (South African Hybrid)

Mid-season harvest

  • Bearing: Begins in year 4, with yields similar to Beaumont but alternate bearing.
  • Growth: Spreading canopy, easy to prune; thrives in cooler climates.
  • Nut Quality: Mottled shells; TKR averages 36–40%.
  • Flowering: Out-of-season flowering common.
  • Challenges: Struggles in drought or extreme temperatures, impacting quality.

814 (Integrifolia)

Mid-season harvest

  • Bearing: Late, around year 5.
  • Yield: Average 3–4 t/ha; consistent TKR of 35–47%.
  • Growth: Spreading branches make pruning easy.
  • Nut Quality: Smaller kernels but high whole kernel recovery.
  • Flowering: Mid-season.
  • Challenges: Requires irrigation and is windburn susceptible.

816 (Integrifolia)

Early to mid-season harvest

  • Bearing: Late, in year 5–6.
  • Yield: Moderate at 2–2.5 t/ha.
  • Nut Quality: Renowned for perfectly round, creamy kernels; TKR of 40–44%.
  • Growth: Upright growth with narrow branch angles.
  • Flowering: Early to mid-season.
  • Challenges: Thrip and phytophthora susceptibility; struggles in adverse weather.

788 (Integrifolia)

Early-season harvest

  • Bearing: Late, in year 4–5.
  • Yield: Average 2–3 t/ha.
  • Growth: Open growth habit; tolerant of drought and salty air.
  • Nut Quality: TKR over 40% but quality lower than 816.
  • Flowering: Multiple flowerings throughout the season.
  • Challenges: Prone to sunburn on north-facing slopes.

344 (Integrifolia)

Early-season harvest

  • Bearing: Early, in year 4.
  • Yield: High, with alternate bearing.
  • Growth: Compact, dense tree.
  • Nut Quality: Flat kernels with dull cream color.
  • Flowering: Early (May/June and again in August).

791 aka Fiji (Triple Hybrid)

Early to mid-season harvest

  • Bearing: Early, in year 3.
  • Yield: High.
  • Growth: Open, vertical stems with horizontal branches.
  • Nut Quality: Up to 40% whole kernel.
  • Flowering: Extended out-of-season flowering.
  • Challenges: Husk adhesion to shell.

842 & 849 (Integrifolia)

842: Early-season harvest | 849: Early to mid-season harvest

  • Bearing: Both begin in year 4–5.
  • Growth: Open habit; 842 more upright.
  • Nut Quality: TKR over 35%.
  • Flowering: Twice, in July and August.
  • Challenges: Magnesium deficiency common.

741

Early-season harvest

  • Bearing: Year 4–5.
  • Yield: Moderate.
  • Growth: Compact and dense.
  • Nut Quality: Excellent kernel color; TKR 35–38%.
  • Flowering: Early with yellow-hued flowers.


Conclusion

Selecting the right macadamia cultivar depends on your specific climate, soil conditions, and farming objectives. Beaumont is ideal for early bearing and resilience, while A4 and A16 offer exceptional kernel recovery in cooler regions. Integrifolia cultivars like 814 and 816 are prized for high-quality kernels but require careful management. Evaluate your farm’s needs and choose cultivars that align with your long-term goals.

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