Articles
PROCESSED-KAOLIN PARTICLE FILM ON ALMOND AND THE EFFECT ON TREE WATER STATUS, GROWTH, YIELD, AND BUD FAILURE
Article number
940_36
Pages
257 – 261
Language
English
Abstract
Surround®, a white clay-like processed-Kaolin particle film, can easily be dissolved into suspension and sprayed onto trees.
From 2002-2008 three applications of Kaolin at 11.3 kg in 378 L water per 0.4046 ha were made each season to Carmel and Nonpareil trees planted in 2002 in order to examine if Kaolin could reduce heat stress and the onset of bud failure.
The effect of Kaolin on tree water status, growth, and yield was also examined.
An almond orchard with Carmel and Nonpareil rows was divided into a replicated design with 8 replications.
From 2003-2009 mid-day leaf stem water potential (SWP) measurements were performed once a month from June-September.
Typically, June and July mid-day leaf SWP were significantly less on Kaolin treated trees when compared to non-treated trees, but by August and September differences were no longer significant.
In 2003-2005 Surround® treated trees had significantly more current season shoot growth when compared to non-treated trees.
From 2005-2009 a significant increase in trunk circumference was observed in Surround® treated trees.
In 2007 we observed less (P≤0.09) bud failure on the Surround® treated Carmel trees, and significantly less (P≤0.02) in 2008. From 2007-2009 the treated Carmel rows had significantly greater yield when compared to the non-treated rows.
Only in 2008 did the treated Nonpareil trees rows also have significantly more yield when compared to untreated.
Cumulative yields from 2007-2009 have Surround® treated Carmel trees averaging 467 more dry kernel pounds per acre (544.5 kg/ha) than untreated Carmel trees, while Surround® treated Nonpareil trees are averaged 281 more dry kernel pounds per acre (316 kg/ha) than untreated Nonpareil trees.
From 2002-2008 three applications of Kaolin at 11.3 kg in 378 L water per 0.4046 ha were made each season to Carmel and Nonpareil trees planted in 2002 in order to examine if Kaolin could reduce heat stress and the onset of bud failure.
The effect of Kaolin on tree water status, growth, and yield was also examined.
An almond orchard with Carmel and Nonpareil rows was divided into a replicated design with 8 replications.
From 2003-2009 mid-day leaf stem water potential (SWP) measurements were performed once a month from June-September.
Typically, June and July mid-day leaf SWP were significantly less on Kaolin treated trees when compared to non-treated trees, but by August and September differences were no longer significant.
In 2003-2005 Surround® treated trees had significantly more current season shoot growth when compared to non-treated trees.
From 2005-2009 a significant increase in trunk circumference was observed in Surround® treated trees.
In 2007 we observed less (P≤0.09) bud failure on the Surround® treated Carmel trees, and significantly less (P≤0.02) in 2008. From 2007-2009 the treated Carmel rows had significantly greater yield when compared to the non-treated rows.
Only in 2008 did the treated Nonpareil trees rows also have significantly more yield when compared to untreated.
Cumulative yields from 2007-2009 have Surround® treated Carmel trees averaging 467 more dry kernel pounds per acre (544.5 kg/ha) than untreated Carmel trees, while Surround® treated Nonpareil trees are averaged 281 more dry kernel pounds per acre (316 kg/ha) than untreated Nonpareil trees.
Authors
B.A. Holtz, T. Martin-Duvall
Keywords
Surround®, processed-Kaolin particle film, almond
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