Combining Ability in Almond

2483 almond seedlings developed from 42 crosses between 12 parents were studied for three years (1989, 1990 and 1991). General and specific combining ability was determined for six traits (all years) and eight traits (1989 only). Additive factors are largely responsible for the genetic control of all traits, non-additive factors being of importance for the density of flowering and particularly for the density of production, time and duration of maturation and double kernels. The results permit the correct choice of parents and crosses for future breeding programmes and provide a better insight into the genetic control of the traits studied.