The potential of jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) in New South Wales. 2. Some factors affecting yield

Abstract

A jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis [Link] Schneider) stand at Condobolin. N.S.W.. established from a range of plant material, exhibited great variability in a number of plant characteristics including seed yield. Observations over 4 years indicated that a high bud to node ratio is necessary for high yield. Different lines varied from 44 to 74% in this ratio in the fourth year of study. The survival of buds to form open flowers varied greatly between lines and from year to year. Death of flower buds before opening was attributable to frost damage. Buds swelled as early as June in some lines while others showed no sign of swelling until September. In those lines with early swelling or flower opening a high proportion of the buds were frost damaged, whereas late flowering lines had a high rate of survival. Terminal flower buds formed just prior to winter dormancy survived and flowered in the next spring, even in otherwise early flowering lines. Earlier work has shown that jojoba flower buds remain dormant until a chilling requirement has been met. Jojoba lines should have a long chilling requirement to maintain dormancy in the buds until the danger of frosts is past. Almost all of the flowers that opened set fruit, indicating that pollination is not a problem in the New South Wales environment.