Pecan Nutrient Element Status and Orchard Soil Fertility in the Southeastern Coastal Plain of the United States

Abstract

<jats:p>This survey addresses the current nutritional status of orchards typical of a large portion of the United States pecan (<jats:italic>Carya illinoinensis</jats:italic>) industry. A leaf nutrition and soil fertility survey was conducted for commercial orchards in a major production area of the U.S. pecan belt, which is located in southern Georgia. The study sampled pecan orchards from 18 July to 5 Aug. 2005 and 17 July to 3 Aug. 2008. All orchards had a history of commercial level orchard management, and represented a wide range of orchards typical of the region. Results indicate that southeastern U.S. pecan producers should focus their nutrient inputs on nitrogen (N), potassium (K), sulfur (S), and copper (Cu) as needed. The survey results show that leaf N can vary widely by season and among orchard locations. Evidence indicates that many growers could likely forego the soil application of phosphorous (P) and zinc (Zn) until leaf or soil analysis indicates a need. Orchard soil organic matter (SOM) in 2008 averaged 3.63%, and ranged from 1.74% on coarse-textured sandy soils to 5% on sandy loam soils. Both SOM and soil nitrate-N were higher in orchards using clover (<jats:italic>Trifolium</jats:italic> spp.) as a cool-season orchard groundcover than those using a grass sod only. The mean carbon:S ratio of Georgia pecan orchard soils was 504:1, which may further reduce tree uptake of S from low-S soils.</jats:p>

Effects of Foliar Potassium Fertilization on Fruit Growth Rate, Potassium Accumulation, Yield, and Quality of ‘Kousui’ Japanese Pear

“…The orchard was located in the town of Ersheng in the city of Jurong city, Jiangsu Province, China. Trees were on callery pear (Pyrus calleryana) seedling rootstock planted at 4 · 4 m. Soil samples were taken from the soil surface 0-30 cm in Fall 2011 and were determined with the following chemical characteristics (Wells, 2009): pH 5.76, 1.16% organic matter, 69.37 mgÁkg -1 available N, 11.16 mgÁkg -1 available P, and 151.93 mgÁkg -1 available K. The soil fertility was comparatively low. Each tree around the drip line in the orchard was supplied by 40 kg commercial organic fertilizer (45% organic matter and 2N-0.4P-1.7K), 2 kg cooked soybean (Glycine max), 2 kg calcium magnesium phosphate, and 0.75 kg K 2 SO 4 in the base fertilization, 0.25 kg K 2 SO 4 after anthesis, and 0.25 kg urea after fruit harvest.…”

Pecan Leaf Elemental Sufficiency Ranges and Fertilizer Recommendations

“…Pecan leaf elemental sufficiency ranges vary among state extension services; however, there are more similarities than differences in stated sufficiency levels (Jones et al, 1991;Mills and Jones, 1996;Pond et al, 2006;Robinson et al, 1997;Wells, 2009a). Current leaf elemental sufficiency ranges used in Oklahoma for native pecan groves, low-input cultivar orchards, and high-input cultivar orchards are included in Table 1.…”

Efecto de la maleza como cobertera en la fertilidad del suelo y rendimiento de nogal pecanero

“…El pH puede ser menos alcalino en la parte superior del suelo y bajo el tratamiento de cobertera por la mayor presencia de materia orgánica ya que durante su descomposición se liberan iones hidrógeno que pueden contribuir en la reducción del pH. En las áreas productoras de nuez pecanera de Georgia, Estados Unidos de América el pH del suelo fluctuó de 5.3 a 7 y se considera que el óptimo es de 6.0 a 6.3 (Wells, 2009). Lo anterior puede indicar que bajo el área de estudio pueden existir algunos problemas nutricionales derivados del pH alcalino del suelo.…”

“…Lo anterior, indica que la cobertera vegetal al aportar mayor materia orgánica favorece la retención de nutrientes, además de que en su proceso de mineralización contribuye en su aumento (Cuadros 4, 5 y 6). Lo anterior coincide con lo mencionado por Wells (2009) en el sentido de que las coberteras vegetales proveen de nutrientes al suelo, aunque indica que no en la totalidad de lo que requiere una huerta de nogal.…”