Progress 08/29/06 to 08/28/11
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) The general objective of this cooperative research project is to solve production associated problems that are most limiting or threatening to the viability or profitability of pecan (Carya illinoinensis) husbandry in the desert environment of the southwestern United States. Approach (from AD-416) Improved production tools and strategies will be developed based on field and laboratory based studies. Commercial orchards will be used to assess alternate bearing, and nutritional (focusing on N, Zn, and Mn) factors affecting nut yields and profitability. Data will be integrated with existing knowledge and art to devise new or improved horticultural management tools that solve production problems of importance to southwestern U.S. farmers. Efforts will include foliar based standards for mineral nutrients, improving soil management strategies, and mineral nutrition associated problems. This research relates to inhouse objective 1: Provide improved horticultural tools for stabilizing pecan nut yields in alternate bearing pecan trees and orchards. A multiple year study on development of practical orchard methods to correct tree zinc deficiency by Zn application to soil was continued. Zinc uptake by tree roots from alkaline soils continues to be a major problem for southwestern farmers. Several different Zn sources (organic and synthetic-chelated) and method of application are under evaluation. A field study continued during Fiscal Year 2011. Progress was monitored via 1 site visit, 1 meeting, and phone calls and e-mails.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
|
Progress 10/01/09 to 09/30/10
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) The general objective of this cooperative research project is to solve production associated problems that are most limiting or threatening to the viability or profitability of pecan (Carya illinoinensis) husbandry in the desert environment of the southwestern United States. Approach (from AD-416) Improved production tools and strategies will be developed based on field and laboratory based studies. Commercial orchards will be used to assess alternate bearing, and nutritional (focusing on N, Zn, and Mn) factors affecting nut yields and profitability. Data will be integrated with existing knowledge and art to devise new or improved horticultural management tools that solve production problems of importance to southwestern U.S. farmers. Efforts will include foliar based standards for mineral nutrients, improving soil management strategies, and mineral nutrition associated problems. This research relates to inhouse objective 1. Provide improved horticultural tools for stabilizing pecan nut yields in alternate bearing pecan trees and orchards. PROGRESS: The first phase of a multiple year study on development of practical orchard methods to correct tree zinc deficiency by Zn application to soil was completed. Zinc uptake from alkaline soils continues to be a major problem for southwestern farmers. Several different Zn sources (organic and synthetic-chelated) were applied via soil banding or incorporation, with subsequent monitoring of tree canopy nutrition. It was found that Zn-EDTA can very effectively increase Zn uptake if placed in close proximity to the tree roots. Further research is needed to refine application and placement methods in alkaline soils. Additionally, it was found that treatment of pecan orchard soils with a combination of cow manure and Zn-sulfate substantially increased the Zn content of canopies by 3 years after soil application. MONITORING: SCA activity was monitored via 1 site visit, 1 meeting, phone calls and e-mails.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
|
Progress 10/01/08 to 09/30/09
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) The general objective of this cooperative research project is to solve production associated problems that are most limiting or threatening to the viability or profitability of pecan (Carya illinoinensis) husbandry in the desert environment of the southwestern United States. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations A multiple year study on development of practical orchard methods to correct tree zinc deficiency by Zn application to soil was continued. Zinc uptake from alkaline soils continues to be a major problem for southwestern farmers. Several different Zn sources (organic and synthetic-chelated) were applied via soil banding or incorporation, with subsequent monitoring of tree canopy nutrition. The field study continues during FY2010. MONITORING: Progress was monitored via 1 site visit, 1 meeting, phone calls and e-mails.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
|
Progress 10/01/07 to 09/30/08
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) The general objective of this cooperative research project is to solve production associated problems that are most limiting or threatening to the viability or profitability of pecan (Carya illinoinensis) husbandry in the desert environment of the southwestern United States. Approach (from AD-416) Improved production tools anad strategies will be developed based on field and laboratory based studies. Commercial orchards will be used to assess alternate bearing, and nutritional (focusing on N, Zn, and Mn) factors affecting nut yields and profitability. Data will be integrated with existing knowledge and art to devise new or improved horticultural management tools that solve production problems of importance to southwestern U.S. farmers. Efforts will include foliar based standards for mineral nutrients, improving soil management strategies, and mineral nutrition associated problems. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations This project is related to Objective 1 of this in-house project: Development of tools and approaches facilitating environmentally sound and profitable cultivation via acquisition of understanding of alternate bearing, nutmeat yield, and crop retention. A multiple year study on development of practical orchard methods to correct tree zinc deficiency by soil application of Zn was continued. Zinc uptake from alkaline soils is a major problem. Several different Zn sources were applied via soil banding, with subsequent monitoring of tree canopy nutrition. MONITORING: Progress and activities were monitored via one site visit, one meeting, and several phone calls and emails.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
|
Progress 10/01/06 to 09/30/07
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) The general objective of this cooperative research project is to solve production associated problems that are most limiting or threatening to the viability or profitability of pecan (Carya illinoinensis) husbandry in the desert environment of the southwestern United States. Approach (from AD-416) Improved production tools anad strategies will be developed based on field and laboratory based studies. Commercial orchards will be used to assess alternate bearing, and nutritional (focusing on N, Zn, and Mn) factors affecting nut yields and profitability. Data will be integrated with existing knowledge and art to devise new or improved horticultural management tools that solve production problems of importance to southwestern U.S. farmers. Efforts will include foliar based standards for mineral nutrients, improving soil management strategies, and mineral nutrition associated problems. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations This report serves to document research conducted under a Specific Cooperative Agreement, "Southwestern Pecan Research - Arizona," (SCA 58- 6606-6-175), with the University of Arizona. Additional details of research can be found in the report of parent project 6606-21220-009-00D, Pecan Cultivation and Disease Management. A multiple year study on development of practical orchard methods to correct tree zinc deficiency by soil application of Zn was continued. Zinc uptake from alkaline soils is a major problem. Several different Zn sources were applied via soil banding, with subsequent monitoring of tree canopy nutrition. A preliminary report was made to the Western Irrigated Pecan Growers Association regarding strategies to manage orchard Zn nutrition. The field study continues during FY2008. Activities of this SCA were monitored via one site visit, one meeting, and several phone calls and e- mails.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
|
|