Progress 09/01/07 to 08/30/13
Outputs
Target Audience: Pecan producers, extension agents and specialists Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Results generated from studies of foliar boron application to pecan trees have been dissemenated to pecan producers through presentations at meetings of the Southeastern Pecan Growers Association, Alabama Pecan Growers Association, and the Georgia Pecan Growers Association. Results of work on foliar boron application to pecan have also been presented at approximately 30 county pecan production meetings throughout Georgia. Similarly, results generated from studies of clover-compatible weed management strategies in pecan orchards have been dissemenated through presentations at the Georgia Pecan Growers Association Annual Meeting and at approximately 30 county pecan production meetings throughout Georgia. Results generated from foliar boron and clover compatible weed management systems have also been shared with pecan producers across the southeastern United States via popular articles in the trade magazines, Pecan South and The Pecan Grower. PARTICIPANTS: UGA County Extension Agents, Jake Price and Frank Funderburk assisted with the project by helping to identify field locations to be used as study sites, and in helping to collect data. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?
Nothing Reported
What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Foliar applied boron was shown to provide several benefits to pecan production, including an increase in leaf boron concentration, nut retention, and percent kernel. These production qualities were enhanced by both two and five applications of boron as long as the applications covered the pecan pollination and fertilization window. Five foliar boron applications led to an average increase in percent kernel of 2.5%, while 2 foliar applications led to a 2% increase in percent kernel. Both two and five applications of foliar boron led to an average increase in nut retention of approximately 6%. It was determined that three applications should cover the appropriate timing window for most pecan producers. The current data suggest that three properly timed foliar boron applications will generate a net return of $86.10 per acre, based on a 2% increase in percent kernel and a 1000 lb/acre pecan crop priced at $3.00 per point.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Wells, M.L. 2013. Pecan response to nitrogen fertilizer placement. HortScience 48:369- 372.
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Progress 01/01/12 to 09/30/12
Outputs
Target Audience: Pecan producers, extension agents, and specialists. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Presentations at industry meetings and extensoin agent trainings. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Oral presentations, posters, journal articles, book chapters, trade magazine articles. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Objectives have been met. boron shown to increase fruit retention and kernel quality of pecan and reduce water stage fruit split. Late season fertilizer focus shifted to evaluate fertilizzer placement and efficiency. Aldicarb shown to enhance pecan nursery tree gorwth; however, it has been removed from the market. Halosulfuron shows potential for control of broadleaf weeds with some compatability with clover. Furhter work required to determine appropriate rates.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Wells, M.L. 2012. Pecan tree productivity, fruit quality, and nutrient element status utilizing clover and poultry litter as alternative nitrogen fertilizer sources. HortScience 47(7):927931.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Wells, M.L. 2012. Foliar sulfur sprays for pecans. Southeastern Fruit &
Vegetable Conference, Savannah, GA.
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Progress 01/01/11 to 12/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Research results were dissemenated through presentations at multiple county production meetings throughout Georgia. In addition, presentations were given at conferences of the Southeastern Pecan Growers Association, Georgia Pecan Growers Association, Texas Pecan Growers Assocaition, Alabama Pecan Growers Association, and Southeastern Pecan Growers Association. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience for this project is commercial pecan producers. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Since completion of the original objectives, focus of this research has shifted from evaluation of foliar boron applications and late season fertilizer to enahncement of fertilizer and water use efficiency in commercial pecan production.
Impacts
Clover and/or clover + litter occasionally led to enhanced pecan leaf concentrations of iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn). Over the course of the study, yields were more consistent from year to year in the clover, litter, and clover+litter treatments, as indicated by the low alternate bearing intensity (I) from 2008-2011. Leaf elemental tissue analysis, pecan yield, and quality indicate that poultry litter and clover provide adequate nitrogen (N) nutrition for pecan production. Application of poultry litter with or without clover often led to higher soil phosphorous (P) and potassium (K). Poultry litter application with and without clover led to higher leaf P in the final year of study. The recurring low pecan leaf K in the presence of clover without additional K application suggests that K nutrition may be especially important in orchards where clover is utilized.
Publications
- Wells, M.L. 2012. Pecan tree productivity, fruit quality, and nutrient element status utilizing clover and poultry litter as alternative nitrogen fertilizer sources. HortScience 47: 927-931.
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Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Research results were dissemenated t hrough presentations at multiple county production meetings throughout Georgia. In addition, presentations were given at conferences of the Southeastern Pecan Growers Association, Western Pecan Growers Association, Georgia Pecan Growers Association, Texas Pecan Growers Assocaition, Alabama Pecan Growers Association, Southeastern Pecan Growers Association, and Georgia Farm Bureau. PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Bruce Wood is Horticulturis and Head of the USDA Fruit & Tree Nut Research Laboratory in Byron, GA. Frank Funderburk is UGA county extension agent in Peach County, GA. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience for this project is commercial pecan producers. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
The use of clover as a cool season cover crop between tree rows provided multiple benefits for pecan orchard soil quality, including increased MIP and MBC. Soil phosphatase activity was also enhanced by clover during two of the three years of study. Soil elemental properties, including total nitrogen (N), and soil organic matter (SOM), were also enhanced by clover and/or poultry litter, although there was an obvious time lag in the response of soil N to the treatments. Poultry litter application increased soil phosphorus (P), but did not consistently enhance soil biological activity parameters. At times, poultry litter appeared to neutralize or minimize the positive effects of clover on MIP. Crimson clover provided from 20-75 kg ∙ ha-1 N over the course of the two growing seasons; however, most of the available N from crimson clover became available late in the growing season. As a result, supplemental N may be required in spring where crimson clover is used as an orchard cover crop. Poultry litter, with and without clover, provided available N consistently throughout the growing season, with more N becoming available later in the season than earlier. This suggests that poultry litter applications for pecan should be timed prior to budbreak. Under optimum environmental conditions, N from NH4NO3 is most available within the first 30 days of application. Thus it appears that synthetic fertilizer applications using NH4NO3 as the N source, should be targeted at or two to three weeks following pecan budbreak.
Publications
- Wood, B.W., M.L. Wells, and F. Funderburk. 2010. Influence of elevating tree potassium on fruit drop and yield of pecan. HortScience 45: 911-917.
- Wells, M.L. 2011. Response of pecan orchard soil chemical and biological quality indicators to poultry litter application and clover cover crops. HortScience 46:306-310.
- Wells, M.L. 2011. Nitrogen availability in pecan orchard soil: Implications for pecan fertilizer management. HortScience (In Press).
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Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Aldicarb application enhanced seedling pecan tree dry weight, shoot length, and trunk diameter. Trunk diameter and early nut production were enhanced by first year aldicarb application in cultivar trials. It is reasonable to conclude that because fruit production is generally considered a function of tree size, earlier fruiting could be an indirect effect of aldicarb application through enhanced tree growth rather than through direct stimulation of fruiting by aldicarb. Through two years of study, a single application of 1 ton poultry litter/acre appeared to provide adequate nitrogen (N) for pecans. Clover alone may provide enough N for pecans in the second year after establishment. Studies revealed that clover can remove significant P, K, and Zn from orchard soils. We also determined that clover can bring otherwise unavailable P into the feeder root zone of pecan trees via the production of the phosphotase enzyme by clover roots. Microbial activity in pecan orchard soil was higher where clover was grown or where litter was applied than where ammonium nitrate was used. No Salmonella spp. were recovered from poultry litter or orchard soil in any treatment from application through harvest. Soil tube studies in orchard plots revealed that most N from synthetic N is utilized or lost within the 1st 60 days after application. Poultry litter provided adequate season long N for pecan production. Tentative results suggest that synthetic N should be used for early spring N needs, while clover can be relied upon to supply much of the late season demand for N by pecans. Throught two years of study, application of nitrogen (N) fertilizer solely to the herbicide strip at the same per acre rate as opposed to broadcasting fertilizer over the entire orchard surface reduced the cost of N fertilizer application with no reduction in leaf N, crop quality, or yield. Liquid N fertilizer solution enhanced pecan nut size when applied via the herbicide sprayer and through fertilizer injection when compared to dry fertilizer. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences for project results are pecan producers and research/extension workers. Results from this project have been published in scientific journals, extension publications, and trade magazines. Results have also been presented at extension meetings as well as at meetings of producer organizations/conferences with both growers and research/extension personnel present. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Although labeled for use on pecans for more than 25 years, the aldicarb label for pecans was voluntarily dropped by the manufacturer in 2010. If aldicarb were to once again be labeled for pecans, it could help enhance young pecan tree growth and orchard establishment. Alternative fertilizer sources such as poultry litter and clover appear to supply adequate N for pecan production, although for commercial production, clover may be best used as a supplemental source of N. Use of these N sources can greatly reduce the cost of N fertilizer management in pecan. Additionally, it appears that application of fertilizer to a reduced area in the orchard can reduce the cost of N fertilizer by more than 70% with no loss in crop yield or quality. This will have to be verified with long term study and evaluation.
Publications
- Wells, M.L. 2010. Influence of aldicarb on growth and fruiting of pecan transplants. HortTechnology 20: (In Press).
- Wells, M.L., and G. Hawkins. 2009. Best Management Practices for Poultry Litter in Pecan Orchards. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Circular 939.
- Wells, M.L. 2009. Clover Management in Pecan Orchards. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Bulletin 1360.
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Progress 01/01/08 to 12/31/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Results of experiments addressing the objectives of the project have been disseminated to pecan producers at various state, regional, and national industry meetings in Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Texas, and Oklahoma. In addition, popular press articles have been generated and published in pecan industry trade magazines. Data from the project has also been presented at local pecan production meetings (approximately 18) throughout Georgia. This information has also been made available to growers via a newsletter. PARTICIPANTS: Bruce Wood, USDA Southeastern Fruit & Tree Nut Research Laboratory TARGET AUDIENCES: THe target audience for this project is commercial pecan producers. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: The portion of the project addressing the timing of nitrogen application has been modified to address the source of nitrogen and the area of the orchard to which nitrogen is applied. This change was made for 2 reasons: 1) reducing fertilizer cost has become a major factor in minimizing the cost of production and maximizing profitability; 2) the late season fertilizer research plots were compromised as a result of road expansion adjacent to the orchard in which the study was being conducted.
Impacts
Foliar boron applications were shown to minimize the effects of water stage fruit split on pecan. Although the incidence of WSFS on Cape Fear was unaffected by micronutrient sprays, the severity of WSFS was substantially reduced in each of the three study years by foliar B application and in 2005 by foliar Ni application. Repeated foliar sprays of Ni also reduced WSFS of Sumner fruit. These data indicate that improving either B or Ni nutrition can potentially reduce crop loss due to WSFS in certain orchard situations and provides evidence that insufficient availability of B and/or Ni to developing ovary tissues potentially predisposes developing fruit to WSFS when environmental triggers occur.
Publications
- Wells, M.L., and B.W. Wood. 2008. Foliar boron and nickel applications reduce water stage fruit-split of pecan. HortScience 43: 1437-1440.
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Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Results generated from studies of foliar boron application to pecan trees have been dissemenated to pecan producers through presentations at meetings of the Southeastern Pecan Growers Association, Alabama Pecan Growers Association, and the Georgia Pecan Growers Association. Results of work on foliar boron application to pecan have also been presented at approximately 30 county pecan production meetings throughout Georgia. Similarly, results generated from studies of clover-compatible weed management strategies in pecan orchards have been dissemenated through presentations at the Georgia Pecan Growers Association Annual Meeting and at approximately 30 county pecan production meetings throughout Georgia. Results generated from foliar boron and clover compatible weed management systems have also been shared with pecan producers across the southeastern United States via popular articles in the trade magazines, Pecan South and The Pecan Grower.
PARTICIPANTS: UGA County Extension Agents, Jake Price and Frank Funderburk assisted with the project by helping to identify field locations to be used as study sites, and in helping to collect data.
Impacts
Foliar applied boron was shown to provide several benefits to pecan production, including an increase in leaf boron concentration, nut retention, and percent kernel. These production qualities were enhanced by both two and five applications of boron as long as the applications covered the pecan pollination and fertilization window. Five foliar boron applications led to an average increase in percent kernel of 2.5%, while 2 foliar applications led to a 2% increase in percent kernel. Both two and five applications of foliar boron led to an average increase in nut retention of approximately 6%. It was determined that three applications should cover the appropriate timing window for most pecan producers. The current data suggest that three properly timed foliar boron applications will generate a net return of $86.10 per acre, based on a 2% increase in percent kernel and a 1000 lb/acre pecan crop priced at $3.00 per point.
Publications
- Wells, M.L., P.J. Conner, J. F. Funderburk, and J.G. Price. 2008. Effects of foliar applied boron on fruit retention, fruit quality, and tissue boron concentration of pecan. HortScience 43: (In Press).
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