Articles
Use of mechanical hedge pruning to transition southeastern U.S. pecan production to a more profitable and sustainable system
Article number
1420_30
Pages
223 – 230
Language
English
Abstract
Hedge pruning in various forms offers multiple advantages to pecan production and could contribute significantly to the management of various issues limiting southeastern U.S. pecan production.
However, an understanding of the long-term effects of hedge pruning pecans must be considered.
The objectives of this study were 1) to examine the long-term effects of hedge-pruning pecan trees in a dormant hedging trial conducted in the southeastern U.S. from 2013 to 2022; and 2) to compare dormant vs. summer hedge pruning in the southeastern U.S. (2019-2022). The long-term study of dormant-season hedging demonstrates that reduced tree size of hedge-pruned trees offers many advantages, including improved spray coverage for better disease and insect control, reduced water stress, heavier individual nut weight, higher percent kernel, management of crop load, and reduced susceptibility to wind injury.
No difference in pecan yield, individual nut weight, or percent kernel was observed between summer and dormant-hedged trees.
The advantages of hedging listed above coupled with cultivars having higher levels of pecan scab resistance and higher yield potential in the range of 2000 kg ha‑1 as opposed to 1000 kg ha‑1 can help transition southeastern US pecan production to a more profitable and sustainable system.
However, an understanding of the long-term effects of hedge pruning pecans must be considered.
The objectives of this study were 1) to examine the long-term effects of hedge-pruning pecan trees in a dormant hedging trial conducted in the southeastern U.S. from 2013 to 2022; and 2) to compare dormant vs. summer hedge pruning in the southeastern U.S. (2019-2022). The long-term study of dormant-season hedging demonstrates that reduced tree size of hedge-pruned trees offers many advantages, including improved spray coverage for better disease and insect control, reduced water stress, heavier individual nut weight, higher percent kernel, management of crop load, and reduced susceptibility to wind injury.
No difference in pecan yield, individual nut weight, or percent kernel was observed between summer and dormant-hedged trees.
The advantages of hedging listed above coupled with cultivars having higher levels of pecan scab resistance and higher yield potential in the range of 2000 kg ha‑1 as opposed to 1000 kg ha‑1 can help transition southeastern US pecan production to a more profitable and sustainable system.
Publication
Authors
L. Wells
Keywords
Carya illinoinensis, water use, stem water potential, hurricanes, tropical storms
Groups involved
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