Almond Tree

Prunus dulcis

1. Identification and origin

Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A. Webb is an arboreal species of the Rosaceae family, known as almond tree. It is native to Central Asia and the Middle East, having spread throughout the Mediterranean basin. It is a fruit tree of great importance in regions with a dry climate, having been cultivated for millennia for almond production.

2. Economic importance

The almond tree is one of the fruit trees of greatest economic value worldwide, due to the high demand for almonds for direct consumption, pastry, confectionery, food industry and oil production. The crop is particularly relevant in Mediterranean and semi-arid regions, where it adapts well to conditions of low water availability. The expansion of new late and self-fertile varieties has increased productivity and reduced the risk of frosts.

3. Botanical characterisation

Medium-sized tree, with a rounded crown and lanceolate, serrate and deciduous leaves. The flowers are large, white or pinkish, appearing very early in spring, before leaf budbreak. The fruit is a drupe composed of green outer skin (mesocarp), woody shell (endocarp) and seed (almond). Reproduction is carried out by grafting onto compatible rootstocks, such as Prunus dulcis, P. persica or hybrids.

4. Soil and climate requirements

It prefers Mediterranean climates, with mild winters and hot, dry summers. It is sensitive to late frosts due to early flowering, although late varieties reduce this risk. It requires well-drained soils, of medium to light texture, with a pH between 6.0–8.0. It tolerates dryness better than other stone fruits, but benefits from supplementary irrigation to increase sizes and productivity.

5. Main pests

• Aphids (Aphididae): deformations and transmission of viruses.
• Anarsia: Anarsia lineatella bores into shoots and young fruits.
• Oriental fruit moth: Grapholita molesta affects shoots and fruits.
• Scale insects (Coccoidea): sap sucking and production of honeydew.
• Mites (Tetranychidae): silvering and reduction of the photosynthetic area.

6. Main diseases

• Brown rot: Monilinia laxa and M. fructigena cause rots and branch canker.
• Fusicoccum: Fusicoccum amygdali causes necrosis and dieback of branches.
• Shot hole: Wilsonomyces carpophilus causes leaf perforations.
• Root rots: Phytophthora spp. in poorly drained soils.
• Viruses: sharka (PPV – Plum pox virus) can affect susceptible almond trees.

7. General crop management

It includes the use of certified grafted plants, choice of adapted varieties and, when possible, self-fertile ones or ones with compatible pollinators. Formation and fruiting pruning improves ventilation and reduces sanitary problems. Supplementary irrigation significantly increases productivity. Monitoring of pests and diseases, together with the removal of infected branches and mummified fruits, is essential to maintain orchard health.

Bibliographic references

• EPPO Global Database – Prunus dulcis.
• CABI – Crop Factsheets – Prunus dulcis.
• FAO – Technical documents on Mediterranean climate fruit trees
• Socias i Company, R. et al. (2008). The Almond: Botany, Production and Uses. CABI
• Hartmann, H. T., Kester, D. E., Davies, F. T., & Geneve, R. L. (2011). Plant Propagation: Principles and Practices. Prentice Hall
• Dicenta, F. et al. (2015). Almond breeding and genetics. Acta Horticulturae