Influence of Aldicarb on Growth and Fruiting of Pecan Transplants

Abstract

<jats:p>This study was established to assess the effect of aldicarb on newly transplanted pecan (<jats:italic>Carya illinoinensis</jats:italic>) nursery trees. Although labeled for use on pecans for more than 25 years, the aldicarb label for pecans was voluntarily dropped by the manufacturer in 2010. Bare-root seedling, ‘Cape Fear’, ‘Sumner’, and ‘Elliott’ trees were planted in Feb. 2007. Ten trees each were treated with one of the following treatments: aldicarb (0.25 lb at budbreak), aldicarb (0.25 lb applied at budbreak and again in June for a total of 0.5 lb/tree), and a nontreated control. Aldicarb increased shoot length, trunk diameter, leaf chlorophyll index, total dry weight, stem dry weight, and root dry weight of pecan seedlings after 1 year's growth. Aldicarb increased trunk diameter of ‘Cape Fear’, ‘Sumner’, and ‘Elliott’ during the course of the study. Nut production of ‘Cape Fear’ was enhanced in the third year of production. These observations indicate that aldicarb is of value in pecan orchard establishment.</jats:p>

Response of Young Pecan Trees to Irrigation in a Humid Climate

“…Although no root measurements were taken during the current study, the root system of young pecan trees is known to account for 60% to 70% of total tree dry weight (Wells, 2010) and the effects of irrigation on root growth of trees are known to be variable (Atkinson, 1980). Goode and Hyrycz (1964) found that irrigation increased apple root density in the top 15 cm but reduced density at 15-30 cm soil depth.…”

Growth and Nitrogen Status of Young Pecan Trees Using Fertigation

“…1 and 2). Root dry weight typically comprises 55%-70% of total tree dry weight 1 year after transplant (Wells, 2010), which may suggest that pecan tree transplants direct most of their resources to root establishment in the first growing season in the orchard. There were no treatment differences in trunk diameter growth for 'Cunard' pecan trees in the first or second years following transplant (Table 3).…”