Measurement of nutrients in leaf tissue is a practical method of monitoring the nutritional status of perennial crops such as pecan (Carya illinoinensis, Wang. C. Koch). Accurate interpretations require known standard concentrations for the crop and region. To determine standard concentrations for pecans, focusing on those grown in the desert southwest, we conducted a survey of 135 `Western Schley' pecan trees in Arizona for 2 years. Leaf nutrient concentrations and yield were collected for each tree. Leaf nutrient concentrations from the highest yielding trees (50th yield percentile) were used to calculate a mean and CV for each nutrient. Results were compared with data from New Mexico, Georgia, and Sonora, Mexico. Relatively large differences were noted in mean K, Ca, B, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn levels. Nutrient interpretation ranges were calculated based on Arizona population statistics using the balance index method.

Segregated units for dementia patients, termed Special Care Units (SCU's) are a growing phenomenon in nursing homes. Advocates claim that these units provide more appropriate care, with improved outcomes, but objective data about such units is rare. This paper reports a study of 13 dementia patients in one SCU and 34 patients in two com-/~~p arison settings: other wards of /~the same nursing home and a aura Mathew, RN, MPH, is clinzcal inMichael Kilby, BA, is a medical student comparison nursing home. ructor at the School of Medicine, at the University of North Carolina at Data was collected by observarniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Chapel Hill. tion, chart review, and examiill. |nation. Analysis sought differences between SCU and both comparison settings; a separate analysis controlled differences in level of care.A significantly greater proportion of SCU patients than controls had the following characteristics: private pay status, specific diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, few addi-~~~~t ional medical diagnoses, infrequent use of physical restraints, and families with high satisfaction. In addition, trends were observed toward SCU paiilip Sloan, MD, is associate professor Roy Flood, BS, is a medical student at tients being racially white,

The crop water stress index (CWSI), based on the relationship between the canopy temperature of a well-watered plant in full sunlight and the atmospheric water content, numerically quantifies water stress. A 4-year study was established to determine the long-term effect of water application levels on production, nut quality characteristics, and growth of pecans [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) C. Koch cv. Western Schley]. Highest yields were attained when trees were relatively nonstressed (CWSI ≤ 0.08). Trees subjected to moderate water stress before irrigation (CWSI ≥ 0.20) showed reduced yield, nut weight, and tree growth, although water-use efficiency increased. With water management practices resulting in maximum yield, nut size, and tree growth (CWSI ≤ 0.08), tree water use varied up to 44% in the same orchard, depending on crop load and yearly climatic variations.

The effect of soil banding zinc sulfate and zinc (Zn)-EDTA was evaluated over a period of 4 years on established ‘Wichita’ pecans [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch] growing in alkaline, calcareous soil. Treatments evaluated were ZnSO4 applied at 74 kg Zn/ha and Zn-EDTA at 19 kg Zn/ha. These materials were applied just once on 23 Mar. 2005. Fertilizers were injected in two bands placed 1.2 m from either side of the trunk of the tree and 18 cm deep. Treatments were replicated four times in a randomized complete block design. Data collected included foliar Zn concentrations throughout the season, midseason foliar nutrient concentrations, leaflet growth, nut yield, and nut quality. Significant differences in foliar Zn levels were found 1 month after application of Zn-EDTA. Differences also were noted during the next 3 years on ≈25% of the sampling dates. Yields of in-shell pecans averaged 2800 kg·ha−1 during the 3 years of harvest but were unaffected by treatments. Nut quality also was unaffected. Nut kernel percentage was very high, ranging from 61.2% to 63.6% during the study. Growth, measured as leaflet area and trunk cross-sectional area, was unaffected by Zn application. Chlorophyll index ranged from 47.5 to 48.0 in 2007 and from 44.7 to 45.4 in 2008 and was unaffected by applied treatments. Zn-EDTA increased Zn uptake slightly by ‘Wichita’ pecan trees in alkaline, calcareous conditions during 3 years after one soil band injection. Ongoing research on potted pecan trees (with the same soil used in the present study) suggests that Zn-EDTA can very effectively increase Zn uptake if placed in close proximity to the tree roots. Additional research is needed to refine application and placement methods in these types of soils to produce a more effective and consistent response.

Adequate Zn nutrition is critical for commercial pecan production. Providing suffi cient Zn through soil application is particularly problematic in high pH desert soils, due to the low solubility of Zn in alkaline conditions, and also the complexation of soil Zn by carbonate minerals (Lindsay, 1979). Foliar Zn applications are more effective than soil applications and can provide adequate Zn for maximum growth and production (Malstrom et al., 1984).