Almond
Almonds are well-known for their drought tolerance, making them a great choice for hot and dry climates. Some of the most popular varieties of almonds that are grown in such conditions include:
Nonpareil: This variety of almond is one of the most widely grown in California and other hot and dry regions. It is known for its large, high-quality nuts and strong tree structure.
Carmel: This variety is also popular in hot and dry regions, and is known for producing a large, uniform nut that is easy to process. It is also self-fertile, which means it does not require another almond variety for pollination.
Mission: This variety is another popular choice for hot and dry climates, and is known for producing a high-quality nut with a rich, sweet flavor. It is also resistant to many common almond diseases.
Padre: This variety of almond is known for its high yields and large, uniform nuts. It is also self-fertile, making it a good choice for smaller orchards.
Shasta: This newly developed almond is a relatively new variety of almonds that was developed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for its exceptional drought tolerance and yield potential. This variety is particularly well-suited for hot and dry climates and can produce high yields of large, high-quality nuts even in areas with limited water availability.
Shasta almond is known for its early bloom, making it less susceptible to late frost damage than some other almond varieties. It also has a high level of self-compatibility, which means that it can set fruit without the need for cross-pollination from other almond varieties. This can be a major advantage in areas where other almond varieties are not available.
Overall, the Shasta almond is a promising variety for growers in hot and dry regions who are looking for a high-yielding and drought-tolerant almond variety. However, as it is a relatively new variety, it may not be as widely available as some of the more established almond varieties.