Open Genetics

The trees used on Valhalla's plantations are genetically pure. No grafting is performed. We have been selecting for a better tasting, better producing macadamia nut for 70 years.

According to UN reports we have lost 75% of the gene pool in our food crop in the last 100 years. We believe genetic diversity must be preserved.

Genetic Purity
All of the trees at Valhalla were grown straight from the seed, without grafts. This means that every single tree at Valhalla is a unique individual with unique genetics. The trees at Valhalla have been selected because they perform well in this particular place. Because they perform so well here, we have no need for chemical fertilizers or pesticides.

Grafting
Conventional fruit and nut plantations rely on grafting to ensure uniform size, appearance, and production. A graft is a cutting from a tree that is attached to a different root stock. The fruit from the graft is then genetically identical to the original tree! Grafts are also identical in the environment they require to survive and produce. Because grafts are used in many different areas, growers use chemicals extensively to eliminate all possible pests and disease which the grafted tree may be vulnerable to.

Pests and Disease
Genetically identical plantations of fruit or nut trees are obviously much more vulnerable to disease. Their uniformity ensures that any disease or pest which attacks one of them, will attack all of them.

In the natural world, genetic variety protects forests from disease and pests. While some of the individual trees may be susceptible, some will be hardier and will survive to pass on their genetic toughness to future generations. When conventional growers rely solely on grafted trees, they are exposing themselves to a potential epidemic, and are thus are ever more reliant on chemicals to create a sterile environment in which to grow.

Selection
We select our trees by putting the seeds (or nuts) under stress as they grow into seedlings. The hyper-competitive environment our seedlings grow in make it easy to tell the strongest and highest producing from the weaker individuals. The stronger individuals are then used for nut production. By doing this, we can quickly determine which trees grow best in a new environment. This technique will be used to find new individuals that will survive in any new regions the Valhalla project expands to.

Genetic Diversity
The problem with grafting is that it has severely reduced the gene pool for many of our common fruits. For example, Red Delicious apples are all genetically identical. Golden Delicious, a different variety, are also all genetically identical. While the genetics of these trees remain the same, the pests and diseases that attack them are constantly evolving. Thus, more and more chemicals are required to allow these varieties to grow.

Genetic uniformity could potentially lead to the loss of entire species of common fruits and vegetables. Bananas, for example, have such a high level of genetic uniformity that some fear a present disease could eliminate this crop from the planet.