A Pe an LENTE Pecan Orchard Establishment. Nuwe Seisoen Bring Nuwe Hoop. Save the Date: SAPPA AGM 6&7 November 2015 Pongola.

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1 A Pe an LENTE 2015 Volume 72 Pecan Orchard Establishment Nuwe Seisoen Bring Nuwe Hoop Save the Date: South African Pecan Nut Producers Association NPC Suid-Afrikaanse Pekanneutprodusente Assosiasie NPC SAPPA AGM 6&7 November 2015 Pongola Kwartaalblad van die Suid Afrikaanse Pekan Produsente Assosiasie Quarterly Journal of the South African Pecan Producer's Association

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3 SA Pecans wil graag al hulle produsente bedank vir hul lojale ondersteuning deur die jaar!!

4 PECAN PRO NURSERY H.W. Meier

5 Uit die KANTOOR From the OFFICE IN THIS ISSUE 1. SA Pecans 2. Pecan Pro Nursery 3. Uit die kantoor SAPPA office SAPPV kantoor 4. Voorsittersverslag 5. Pieterse Pecan Industry 6. Nuwe seisoen bring nuwe hoop 7. Hedging - powerful tool for crop load management 8. Plasing en koste van Advertensies 9. Ken jou vriendelike vyand 12. GWK 13. Pecan soil and production potential 14. Pecan orchard establishment 15. Nutmech 16. Burkea WNG Boerdery 19. Netafim 20. Monchiero 22. Rovic Leers 23. Sappa AGM 24. Soil zinc applications in the west can work 25. Elandsdraai Pecan Growers Nutmech 26. Inspection Masters 27. Has rain washed away the pecan crop? 29. Bouwer Pecan Farms and Nursery 30. Streek 7 vergaderings Monchiero 33. List of members of the National Council of Representatives of SAPPA Enviro Chainsaws 34. Don t underestimate value of airflow, elevation in scab control 35. Nukor 36. Meganiese boomsnoei 37. How much fertilizer do young pecan trees need? 38. Wild Rush Distributors 39. Nutmech 40. Recipe: Sticky-bun pumpkin muffins Felicia Farm Beste Sappa lede, Hierdie maand klim ons 'n entjie verder op die leer na die einde van 2015 : dis Oktobermaand! Die winter is verby, die lente het gekom en ons staan met ons voete midde-in die somer. Vanuit die kantoor wil ons graag u aandag vestig op 'n paar veranderinge. Met al die nuwe verwikkelinge in die pekanbedryf is SAPPA vanaf Junie 2015 as maatskappy geregistreer. SAPPA se bankbesonderhede het dus ook nou verander. In die vervolg kan u enige betalings in hierdie bankrekening deponeer: Bank: First National Bank Rek Naam: SAPPA Rek Nr: Takkode: BTW nommer: SAPPA in samewerking met Hortgro is al geruime tyd besig om die ledelys/databasis op datum te kry. Baie dankie aan almal wat reeds hul inligtingvorms vir ons deurgestuur het. Vorentoe sal ons weer eposse uitstuur sodat diegene wat nog nie hul inligting kon deurgee weereens die geleentheid sal kry. Verder word daar ook hard agter die skerms gewerk om reëlings te tref vir die jaarlikse Algemene Jaarvergadering wat op Vrydag, 6 & 7 November 2015 te Pongola Country Lodge in Pongola gehou sal word. Hou hierdie datum oop, want ons wil julle graag almal daar sien. Dit beloof om weereens interessant en leersaam te wees. Hou u elektroniese posbus dop vir meer inligting binnekort. Verder verwelkom ons graag ons nuwe lede wat die afgelope maande aangesluit het. Mag julle gou deel voel van die pekanneutfamilie. Graag wens ons Albert en Mandie Bouwmeester baie geluk met die geboorte van hul dogter Leanél. Mag sy julle nog baie vreugde skenk. Teen hierdie tyd is oestyd al vergete, en lê die snoei of planttyd voor. Mag die nuwe seisoen groot uitdagings meebring. Gegroet tot die volgende uitgawe Harriët Elke dag word sekondes aan ons geskenk met die wonderlikste moontlikhede!! Office hours Kantoor ure : Mo-Fr Ma-Vr 08h30-13h00 Address Adres PO BOX Totiusdal 0134 Tel Fax Faks Cell Sel E-pos admin@sappamail.net Web Bank: SAPPA. FNB. Tak Rek.Nr BTW Nr SA Pekan Redaksie: Albert Bouwmeester, Harriët Hofsink, Ronél de Jong SPERDATU M vir SOMER 2016uitgawe

6 VOORSITTERS Verslag Ons het 'n baie ontstuimige seisoen agter die blad. Die meeste produksie gebiede se oes op volwasse bome was af. Die krisis in Griekeland en Portugal het geldmarkte en aandelebeurse laat skommel. Markte in Sjina en Europa was onvoorspelbaar en die Rand het drasties verswak teen die US$ en die ander vernaamste geldeenhede. Invoertariewe op pekans na Sjina is verminder van 24% na 10%. Enkele verwerkers in Sjina wat invoerbelasting of BTW ontduik het is in klopjagte aangekeer en vervolg. Hoe is die pekan bedryf in Suid-Afrika beïnvloed en hoe het die markkragte daarop gereageer? - Aan die begin van die seisoen was kopers in Sjina traag om kontrakte te teken. - Aankopers in Suid-Afrika was stadig en onseker om pryse bekend te stel. - Kommoditeitsfinansiering was onder druk weens die finansiële krisis in Europa. - Wat die pekanprys betref, het die laer as verwagte oes en die verswakking in die Rand in ons guns getel. - Aan die einde van die seisoen was pekanpryse in Rand terme die beste nog ooit. - Produserende pekanplase, veral in Vaalharts, is verkoop vir nuwe rekord pryse. - Bestaande produsente brei uit en nuwe beleggers tree toe tot die pekanbedryf. - Nuwe verwerkers en uitvoerders tree toe tot die bedryf. Hoe lyk die toekoms vir die pekan bedryf in Suid-Afrika? - Suid-Afrika bly steeds 'n land met groot uitbreidingspotensiaal vir nuwe aanplantings. Ons het boere met die regte kennis en die vermoë om te produseer; ons het die regte klimaat; relatief goedkoop besproeiingsgrond en voldoende goeie kwaliteit besproeiingswater. - In die Westelike streke is vervanging met pekanneute 'n oplossing vir besproeiingsgewasse met krimpende winsmarges. Wyndruiwe, droogdruiwe, lusern en die meeste kontantgewasse se winsmarges het sodanig gekrimp dat tradisionele plaas- of perseelgrootes nie meer 'n ekonomiese eenhede uitmaak nie. In die regte klimaat, bly 'n tipiese eenheid van 18ha 25ha steeds 'n baie goeie ekonomiese eenheid, as pekanneute eers in produksie is. - Die verswakking in die Rand bevoordeel ons direk om op wêreldvlak mededingend te bly. - Ons neutkwaliteit is uitstekend en bly gesog in Sjina. Om 'n premie prys in die Sjinesemark te behou moet ons sorg dat ons produk aan die nodige uitvoerstandaarde voldoen. Fitosanitêre vereistes in die Sjinesemark sal verhoog soos wat die mark meer volwassenheid bereik. - Markontwikkeling in Sjina sowel as ander lande bly belangrik om groeiende volumes te akkomodeer. - Suid-Afrikaanse boere is gelukkig dat daar voldoende kompetisie tussen aankopers bestaan. Uitvoer en verwerking is 'n volume game en soos ons produksie toeneem sal meer en meer uitvoerders ekonomies kan uitvoer en steeds goeie pryse kan betaal. - Grondhervorming bly Suid-Afrikaanse boere se grootste uitdaging. SAPPA is betrokke by verskeie bemagtigings projekte. Dit is krities dat die regte mentor en die regte begunstigde geïdentifiseer word om sulke projekte 'n sukses te maak. Daar word ontsettend baie gedoen waarvan produsent nie altyd bewus is nie: Hortgro, SAPPA se werknemers, SAPPA se bestuurslede, die verskillende weksgroepe en kommitees, lede wat boeredae en streeksvergaderings aanbied, lede wat betrokke is by konferensies, simposiums en jaarvergaderings, navorsers en universiteite, gassprekers, adverteerders, borge en diensverskaffers, mentors by bemagtigingsprojekte, lede wat betrokke is en boere wat medeboere met raad ondersteun. Almal wat by SAPPA betrokke is, 'n hartlik dank vir julle insette. Laat dit 'n skitterende jaar wees. Voorsittersgroete Heiko Meier Algemene Jaarvergadering Annual General Meeting 6 & 7 Nov. Pongola 4

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8 Nuwe SEISOEN Bring Nuwe HOOP Met die oestyd wat agter die rug is begin die opgewondenheid oor die nuwe seisoen wat voorlê. In my vorige artikel het ek kortliks uitgebrei oor van die goeie insekte wat ons in die pekanneut boorde waarneem. Daar sal 'n die volgende paar uitgawes van ons tydskrif 'n reeks artikels verskyn geskryf deur Dr Justin Hatting van die LNR op Bethlehem getiteld; Ken jou vriendelike vyand. Hiermee wil ons graag ons boere attend maak daarop dat nie alle insekte wat in die boord voorkom skadelik is nie! As enige boer snaakse of onbekende insekte opmerk in sy boord kan julle my gerus kontak sodat ons 'n beter prentjie kan skets van watter insekte in ons boorde voorkom en moontlik skade aanrig. As deel van die UFS se navorsingsprojek is daar 15 bat boxes op plase aangebring. Meer as een bat box ontwerp is gebruik en verskillende paal hoogtes. 'n Paar riglyne vir enige iemand wat belangstel om bat boxes op hul eie plaas aan te bring: - Die opening van die box moet in 'n westilike rigting wys sodat dit goeie laat middag son kry sou dit een van die ontwerpe wees wat in die veld aangebring word. - Die onderkant van die bat box moet minstens 2,5 m bo die grond wees, maar 3m tot 3,5 m is selfs nog beter. - Rooi perdebytjies bly ook baie lekker in hierdie bat boxes en moet gereeld verwyder word. Verkieslik met die hand en nie met gif nie omdat vlermuise baie sensitief is vir gif en skerp reuke. - Wees geduldig!! Dit het 3 en 14 maande geneem voordat die bat boxes wat ons aangebring het die gewenste inwoners gekry het. Met die ongewoon warm winter wat oor groot dele van die pekanneut produksie gebiede voorgekom het die jaar mag dit wees dat ons ongewone insekpatrone waarneem. Bv. plantluise wat vroeër as normaal in die boorde opgemerk word. Deur die afgelope seisoen is plantluise oor groot gebiede in die boorde opgemerk vanaf Februarie tot einde April. Identifikasie van die geel plantluise het teruggekom as die Geel Pekan Plantluis. ( Sien foto onder). Let ook op die enkel eier op 'n klein steeltjie van die Lacewing wat saam met die luise voorkom. \ Ek was ook betrokke by 'n paar snoei dae wat deur groepe boere gereël is. Die een op die plaas van Mev Alta du Preez waar gefokus is op die snoei van jong bome en op die plaas van Mnr Hendrik Geldenhuys waar ons na die snoei van groter bome ook gekyk het. Ons het ook 'n boeredag op Groblershoop bygewoon waar ons die Vrydag middag 'n praktiese sessie in die boorde deurgebring het. Die plant van bome, snoei van jong bome en oespraktyke het aandag gekry. Onder is die boere besig om na 'n demonstrasie van 'n "blower" te kyk. Die projek gaan steeds voort en verdere terugvoer sal volg. Volledige terugvoer oor die LNR en UFS navorsingsprojekte sal weer tydens die SAPPA AGM later vanjaar geskied. Moet die geleentheid nie misloop nie! Sterkte aan alle pekanneut produsente vir die nuwe seisoen! Vriendelike groete uit Hartswater Hardus du Toit Tegniese beampte SAPPA Sel: Epos: sappahardus@gmail.com Dis nie geluk wat ons dankbaar maak nie, maar dankbaarheid wat ons gelukkig maak 6

9 Hedging - powerful tool for crop load management By Bill Goff and Richard Heerema Goff is Nunn-Bond Professor and Extension Pecan Specialist-Emeritus at Auburn University, and a pecan grower in Leesburg, Georgia. Heerema is Extension Pecan Specialist at New Mexico State University. Pecan South, Volume 48, No.2, April 2015 There is a line in the old Roger Miller country song "One Dying and a Buryin"' where he says "It's so simple I'm surprised I hadn't done thought of it before yet". That's the line that comes to us as we have studied information on the response of pecan trees to hedging. The simple part is that we should think of hedging in terms of crop load management and reduction of alternate bearing, equally so or even more than we think of hedging as a way to reduce overcrowding and allow sunlight into the orchard. Done correctly and, most importantly, at the right time and to the right degree, hedging can result in consistent satisfactory yields of high quality nuts with minimal alternate bearing. Only a few actual replicated experiments on pecan tree hedging have been conducted. This is understandable as the hedging equipment is very expensive, and the number of trees and the effort required to do a meaningful study is very high and limiting too many researchers. Fortunately, despite the difficulty, several studies have now been conducted and, along with grower experience, are telling us how the trees respond. One long-term trial was conducted by Richard Heerema and Brad Lewis in the Mesilla Valley of New Mexico near Las Cruces. The study has been in place 9 years with the intended duration 10 years, making it the longest- duration replicated hedging study that has been done. There were 4 treatments, implemented following an initial hedging of all trees in the first year: 1. Hedged every year 2. Hedged every other year 3. Hedged every third year 4. Unpruned control Spacing was 30 feet between rows and between trees in the row, and trees were hedged 7 to 9 feet from the trunk and topped with a rooftop cut peaking at 30 feet. The orchard was in a severe alternate-bearing pattern at the beginning. Clearly, the hedging of all trees in the first year at the beginning of the experiment, coming into an off year, did nothing to alleviate alternate bearing and may have made it worse. The first year, all treatments produced less than 1,000 pounds per acre, about 800 pounds per acre on average and statistically the same. Then the second year, all treatments resulted in overproduction and resulting poor quality. Only when hedging occurred prior to an on-year, then trees were not hedged coming into the following off-year, did a favorable pattern emerge. This progression occurred with treatment 3 coming into the 2009 on-year crop. In this case, the hedging prior to an on-year, successfully tempered the 2009 crop from excessive to a manageable 1,900 pounds or so, with good quality and large size. The following off-year, the tempering of the on-year crop the year prior enabled the trees and that treatment to set the highest yield among the treatments in the following off-year. Similar results from grower experience in both the West and East lead us to believe that this result is what can be expected. The take-home message is when hedging results in reducing excessive crop, which occurs if hedging is prior to "on" years, the trees are favorably impacted with quality improvement, followed by higher "off'-year yields. When hedging is done prior to an off year, the short crop can become even shorter, and the rebound on-year crop even larger, either not changing or even worsening alternate bearing. Perhaps in alternate-bearing orchards, the hedging program should begin only coming into expected on-years. And, the degree of hedging, that is how much to cut the tree and how many trees to cut, should be tempered according to historical yield records. Cut more when the alternate bearing is severe and the crop is expected to be very high. Delay cutting, or cut less, coming into off-years. Once alternate bearing has been minimized, more flexibility on when to hedge can be exercised. In the Southeast, a similar effect is achieved from tree removal. If you renovate an older orchard that is in an alternatebearing pattern, the most favorable results are achieved when you cut the trees coming into an on-year. The remaining trees are opened up to new light, enabling better sunlight exposure so that more energy is produced to help fill the heavy crop, and to produce more carbohydrates which increases the likelihood of a higher off-year crop. Also, there's more soil for the roots of the remaining trees to explore, now that their competing neighbor trees are no longer competing. When you bolster this on-year improvement in light and soil even further with increased inputs, the favorable impact is magnified. Use more fertilizer, better pest control, especially of leaf-damaging pests in the on-year when the trees need help. In one orchard done this way, which I call "turning up the heat in the on-year", the off-year crop was improved 45 percent following high production and quality the previous onyear. Some orchards appear to be not alternate bearing badly because some rows are zigging while other rows are zagging. That is timing of hedging varied by row, resulting in 7

10 Hedging - powerful tool for crop load management...continued some rows alternate bearing badly. Those would likely be the rows hedged coming into an off year. The rows hedged prior to on years, would likely be alternate bearing less, or perhaps in another cycle. We believe the orchard performance could be improved by getting more of the trees overall in the orchard with consistent even production. A lot more research needs to be done. Perhaps hedging one side of the tree, on more rows, would open it up enough to light and reduce the excessive crop sufficiently. Perhaps selective individual tree crop thinning could fine-tune the orchard to get a high percentage of the trees with lower alternate bearing. Hedging is a standard practice in the West, and is becoming so among large growers in the East as well. It is a powerful tool, and your orchard performance can be improved greatly if you manage it right. PEKAN PLAAS TE KOOP Pretoria - Onderstepoort - 4.3ha Pekan plot 300 Pekan bome 30 jaar oud Groot 4 slaapkamerhuis, 3 badkamer, 3 leef areas, 2 x woonstelle, (2 ½ kamer + 1 kamer), 6 motorhuise. Baie sterk water. Gesoneer vir Industriële gebruik. 5km vanaf Universiteit. Inkomste R300k-R600k per jaar. Prys - R3.3 miljoen Kontak Charl Yazbek by /8 of of epos cyaz@wbs.co.za Placing and cost of an ADVERT Plasing en koste van 'n ADVERTENSIE EEN KLEUR (SWART) ONE COLOUR (BLACK) A4 Full Page 190x270mm R *R A5 Half Page 190x130mm R *R A6 Quarter Page 90x130mm R *R A7 Eighth Page 90x70mm R *R Classified R9.00 per woord *Plasing van dieselfde advertensie in al 4 Kwartaallikse Nuusbriewe SPERDATUMS vir 2015 Somer Januarie 2016 Herfs/Winter April 2016 Lente Augustus Please post, fax or your advertisement to the SAPPA office. Clearly highlight which ADVERT SIZE you would like and whether or not you want it advertised once or four times. Pos, faks of epos jou advertensie asb. na die SAPPA kantoor. Maak asb. duidelik watter ADVERTENSIE GROOTTE u wil hê en of u dit een keer of vier keer wil adverteer. VOLKLEUR FULL COLOUR A4 Full page 190x270mm R2700 *R9800 A5 Half page 190x130mm R2000 *R7400 A6 Quarter page 90x130mm R1400 *R4900 A7 Eighth page 90x70mm R700 *R2400 *Placing of the same advert in all 4 Quarterly Newsletters PAYMENT PROCEDURE BETALING PROSEDURE Pay the amount you owe directly into: SAPPA. FNB. Branch Acc.No VAT No Then send your advert, your chosen advert format and your proof of payment to the SAPPA office. Betaal asb. die bedrag wat u skuld direk in: SAPPA. FNB. Tak Rek.Nr BTW Nr Stuur dan u advertensie, advertensie grootte en depositostrokie na die SAPPA kantoor. 8

11 JUSTIN HATTING, LNR-KLeingraaninstituut Die konsep biologiese beheer vind al hoe meer aanklank by produsente, gegewe faktore soos weerstand by sekere plae teen chemiese middels, omgewingsbesoedeling, gifresidue op produkte, stygende kostes van insekdoders asook die onttrekking van sekere insekdoders vanuit die agro-chemiese bedryf. Biologiese beheermetodes kan help om hierdie probleme aan te spreek en is veral binne 'n geïntegreerde beheerprogram van waarde waar dit die gebruik van tradisionele chemiese metodes ondersteun. Dit is belangrik om daarop te let dat die doel van biologiese beheer, nie soos in die geval met chemiese beheer, die uitwissing van die plaagpopulasie is nie, maar wel om die populasie onder die skadelike drempelwaarde te hou. Daar word dus gestreef na 'n balans tussen die plaag en sy natuurlike mortaliteitsfaktore in 'n gegewe omgewing. Biologiese beheermetodes sluit 'n hele verskeidenheid opsies in, waaronder feromone, afweer- en antivoedingsmiddels, natuurlike vyande, asook biologiese toksiene, ressorteer. Onder natuurlike vyande word algemeen verwys na die drie P's, naamlik patogene, predatore en parasitoïede. Hierdie artikel is die eerste in 'n reeks van drie waar elk van die drie vyand-tipes in meer detail bespreek word. Figuur 1: Skematiese voorstelling van die swam Beauveria bassiana. MS Rakotonirainy, CRCC, Patogene Insekte, net soos die mens, word ook deur verskeie siektes geteister. Die organisme (mikrobe) wat die siektetoestand by die insek veroorsaak, staan bekend as 'n insekpatogeen. Hierdie patogene sluit swamme, bakterieë, virusse, protozoa en nematodes in. Die gebruik van patogene kan binne die raamwerk van produkgebaseerde en/of bewarings-biologiese beheer plaasvind. Vervolgens, 'n kort oorsig van elk: Produkgebaseerd Tradisioneel word insekdoders in die vorm van 'n (chemiese) produk, hetsy as vloeistof-, korrel-, of poeierformulasie, toegedien. Die ontwikkeling van biologiese produkte vir gebruik teen insekplae het die afgelope paar jaar geweldige vooruitgang getoon, veral ten opsigte van mikrobiese insekdoders. Die mees omvattende publikasie in hierdie verband is The Manual of Biocontrol Agents wat nou ook aanlyn beskikbaar is (sien Plaaslike produsente word deesdae al hoe meer gekonfronteer deur verteenwoordigers van maatskappye wat daarop aanspraak maak dat 'n nuwe biologiese of organiese insekdoder nou op die Suid-Afrikaanse mark beskikbaar is. Alhoewel baie van hierdie produkte een of ander organiese sertifisering dra, moet produsente daarop let dat alle insekdoders, hetsy chemies of biologies, onder die Suid-Afrikaanse Landbouwet 36 van 1947 geregistreer moet wees alvorens verkope daarvan wettig is. Figuur 2: Infeksie-siklus van 'n swam op 'n plantluis. Registrasie onder hierdie wet behels dat 'n unieke L nommer aan die produk toegeken word. Produsente kan daarop aandring dat hierdie L nommer aan hulle uitgewys word. Aangesien effektiwiteitsproewe as deel van die registrasie uitgevoer moet word, bied registrasie aan die kliënt 'n mate van sekuriteit dat die middel/produk wel werk. Produsente kan gerus 'n kopie van A guide for the control of plant pests by die Departement van Landbou aankoop (Direktoraat Kommunikasie, P/Sak X144, Pretoria, 0001), waarin alle geregistreerde insekbeheermiddels verskyn. 'n Verkorte weergawe is ook op die internet beskikbaar by: ticides.htm. Die webtuiste kan ook gebruik word om hierdie inligting te bekom. 9

12 1: Gevleuelde Russiese koringluiskadawer met die swam Beauveria bassiana besmet. Foto: JL Hatting, LNR-KGI 2: 'n Koringaar met plantluiskadawers besmet met die swam Pandora neoaphidis. Foto: JL Hatting, LNR-KGI 3: Kadawer van die Afrika-bolwurm met die swam Nomuraea rileyi besmet. Foto: JL Hatting, LNR-KGI 4: Kadawer van die Afrika-bolwurm, Helicoverpa armigera, met virus besmet. Foto: JL Hatting, LNR-KGI Voorbeelde van aktiewe bestanddele wat as lewendige entiteit in Suid- Afrika geregistreer en bemark word, sluit die twee swamspesies Beauveria bassiana (Figuur 1) en Metarhizium anisopliae in. Beide hierdie twee swamme word as lewendige spore geformuleer en bemark. 'n Virus in die familie, Baculoviridae, is ook onlangs geregistreer teen die valskodlingmot wat bekend staan as die Cryptophlebia leucotreta granulovirus of te wel CLGV. Soos genoem kan mikrobiese toksiene ook as biologiese insekdoders gebruik word, soos in die geval van die bakterieë Bacillus thuringiensis (of te wel Bt) en Saccharopolyspora spinosa. In die geval van Bt word 'n proteïengebaseerde endotoksien geaktiveer onder die unieke phtoestande in die insek se spysverteringstelsel. Bt-gebaseerde insekdoders is daarom nie 'n lewendige produk soos in die geval van bogenoemde swamme nie. Na toediening moet die insek die toksien fisies inneem (aktiewe voeding) om effektief te wees. Verskeie rasse van Bt bestaan waarvan die bekendste kurstaki en aizawai is. Beide hierdie rasse is in Suid-Afrika geregistreer en word algemeen toegedien teen wurmplae soos die bekende bolwurm en ruitrugmot op groente en die Plusia-looper of koolvalslandmeter-ruspe op groen-, soja- en droëbone. Ander rasse sluit in israelensis teen muskietlarwes en tenebrionis teen kewerlarwes. 'n Ander toepassing van Bt is die gebruik van die Bt-geen in geneties gemodifiseerde gewasse wat dan self hierdie toksien produseer om die plant weerstandbiedend te maak teen insekte wat daarop voed. n Voorbeeld hiervan is Bt-mielies wat weerstand bied teen mieliestamrusper en Chilo-boorder. Insekpopulasies wat voortdurend op die Bt-mielies voed, verkeer onder seleksiedruk en kan egter 'n weerstand ontwikkel teen die toksien. gasheerplant waar hulle sappe uit die plantselle onttrek. Die enigste patogene wat effektief teen plantluise optree, is swamme, aangesien hierdie mikrobes direk deur die plantluis se vel (kutikula) kan penetreer (Figuur 2) en nie soos bakterieë of virusse geëet moet word om infeksie te veroorsaak nie. Die gebruik van swamme, soos B. bassiana teen plantluise (Foto 1) is wel 'n moontlikheid, maar aangesien plantluispopulasies die vermoë het om baie vinnig toe te neem, is die effektiwiteit van hierdie swam effe beperk. Navorsing by die LNR-Kleingraaninstituut (LNR-KGI) fokus nou op die gebruik van B. bassiana (en ander spesies) in kombinasie met 'n subdodelike dosis van 'n chemiese insekdoder. Die kombinasie het 'n sinergistiese werking waar die swam die insek siek genoeg maak om meer vatbaar vir die insekdoder te wees, terwyl die middel die insek genoegsaam stres om meer vatbaar vir die swam te wees. Verskeie insekdoders is reeds geïdentifiseer as verenigbaar met hierdie swamme en sal voortaan onder glashuis- en veldtoestande getoets word. Bewarings-biologiese beheer Hierdie konsep is daarop gemik om die bestaande populasie van voordelige organismes in 'n omgewing te bewaar, aan te help en/of te manipuleer deur die korrekte produksiepraktyke te volg. Gegewe die beperkte beskikbaarheid van geregistreerde mikrobiese insekdoders tans in Suid-Afrika, kan produsente onafhanklik hierdie metode van biologiese beheer toepas. Die sukses van die metode is opgesluit in die bewaring van die totale kompleks van voordelige organismes in 'n spesifieke omgewing. Plantluise, soos die Russiese koringluis (Diuraphis noxia) en hawerluis (Rhopalosiphum padi), is belangrike plae op koring en ander kleingrane. Hierdie insekte voed met spesiaal-aangepaste monddele binne die Hierdie organismes sluit dan die drie P's in. Bewaringsbeheer behels (1) habitat/landskap manipulasie, (2) bewustheid van en korrekte 10

13 uitkenning van plae en hul natuurlike vyande, (3) beperkte gebruik van plaagdoders en/of (4), die gebruik van selektiewe plaagdoders of die gebruik van plaagdoders op 'n selektiewe wyse ten einde die funksionele biodiversiteit in 'n gegewe omgewing te promoveer. Kategorie (3) en (4) is veral belangrik, aangesien voordelige organismes baie sensitief is vir plaagdoders en daarom moet die gebruik daarvan slegs plaasvind wanneer die betrokke plaag sy ekonomiese skadelikheidsvlak bereik het. Om hierdie vlak te bepaal word die volgende formule gebruik: Ekonomiese skade (kg/ha) = Beheerkoste (R/ha) x 2 Produkprys (R/kg) Dus is ekonomiese skade die plaagpopulasievlak waarby chemiese beheer 'n opbrengstoename teweeg sal bring wat gelykstaande is aan twee maal die koste van beheer. By koringproduksie is daar ongeveer ses voordelige swamspesies wat natuurlik in die ekosisteem voorkom en wat plantluise parasiteer. Proewe deur die LNR-KGI het gevind dat swamme soos Pandora neoaphidis (Foto 2), Conidiobolus thromboides en C. obscurus uiters sensitief is vir 'n reeks swamdoders, veral dié (byvoorbeeld bensamidasool- en triasooldoders) wat algemeen gebruik word teen roessiektes, soos Puccinia spp. op koring. Soortgelyke studies oorsee bevestig hierdie negatiewe impak van swamdoders op natuurlike plantluisbeheer deur voordelige swamme (sien Onder besproeiingstoestande parasiteer hierdie swamme, veral die graanroosluis, (Metopolophium dirhodum) en onderdruk sodoende die luise sodat chemiese beheer selde, indien ooit, nodig is. Die meeste produsente is nie eers bewus van hierdie gratis plaagbeheerdiens wat deur die swamme gebied word nie. Nog 'n plaaslike voorbeeld is die natuurlike voorkoms van die swam Nomuraea rileyi (Foto 3) op veral Plusia-landmeters op verskeie boongewasse en bolwurms op koring. Soos genoem, sal die onnodige toediening van swamdoders hierdie insekpatogeen nadelig beïnvloed; wat tot 'n toename in die plaagpopulasie kan lei. Die behandeling van gewasse slegs wanneer siekte- of plaagdruk groot genoeg is om ekonomiese skade te veroorsaak of wanneer bestaande drempelwaardes oorskry word, sal die impak daarvan op voordelige organismes tot 'n minimum beperk. Baie insekpatogene het 'n mate van selektiwiteit en is dus minder nadelig teenoor sekere van die natuurlike vyande. 'n Voorbeeld hiervan is die Bt-insekdoders wat gebruik word vir die beheer van wurm-tipe (Lepidoptera) plae. Virusse (Foto 4) is hoogs selektief en sal ook 'n beperkte (direkte) impak uitoefen op natuurlike vyande in dieselfde omgewing. Sommige chemiese insekdoders word ook as sagter op die omgewing beskou, soos die aktief pirimicarb. Die voorkoms en verspreiding van gasheerplante wat die oorlewing van natuurlike vyande in die omgewing promoveer, word tans nagevors deur die LNR-KGI. 'n Soortgelyke studie is ook onlangs in Argentinië geloots. Opnames deur die LNR-KGI het gevind dat plantspesies soos die gewone sydissel (Sonchus oleraceus), brandnetel (Urtica urens), knapsekêrel (Bidens pilosa), wildeslaai (Lactuca erriola), purperwinde (Ipomoea purpurea), populierbome (Populus canescens) en riete (Phragmites australis), almal plantluise huisves wat ook as gashere dien vir insekpatogeniese swamme. Die swamspore (inokulum) wat op hierdie luise geproduseer word, beweeg dan na aangeplante gewasse (byvoorbeeld koring) waar dit die skadelike plantluise infekteer. Kennis van hierdie interaksies kan in die toekoms gebruik word om die omgewing beter te bestuur/manipuleer ten einde natuurlike plaagbeheer te optimaliseer. Habitat/landskap manipulasie kan teweeggebring word binne die aangeplante omgewing deur interaanplantings (inter cropping), gemengde aanplantings (mixed cropping), kombinasie aanplantings (companion planting) en aanlok-aanplantings (trap cropping) asook direk buite die aanplanting in semi-natuurlike areas. Slotgedagtes Die natuur bied 'n gratis plaagbeheerdiens aan produsente deur die impak van natuurlike vyande of te wel die drie P's, nl. patogene, predatore en parasitoïede. In die VSA word die jaarlikse waarde van hierdie natuurlike biobeheer dienste tussen $4,5 en $17 miljard beraam. Die maksimum voordeel kan hieruit verhaal word deur produksiepraktyke so te bestuur dat die bewaring van die natuurlike vyande altyd in aanmerking geneem word. Onnodige en/of ontydige toediening van chemiese plaagdoders is een van grootste sondebokke. Die gebruik van biologiese insekdoders neem stelselmatig toe in Suid-Afrika en verskaffers daarvan dra die verantwoordelikheid dat die produk wettig geregistreer en van hoë gehalte is. Produkte wat 'n lewendige entiteit bevat kan nie op dieselfde wyse as 'n sintetiese insekdoder hanteer (wat betref vervoer en storing) word nie. Oor die algemeen neem biologiese insekdoders effe langer om 'n uitwerking op die plaag uit te oefen, maar sluit ook 'n gedragsverandering in, byvoorbeeld waar 'n swam of virus toegedien word, sal die insek eers ophou voed (indirekte beheer) voordat dit vrek. Solank daar geen voeding plaasvind nie, word verdere skade aan die gewas dus beperk. Leer ken jou (vriendelike) vyand en boer saam met die natuur! Vir verdere navrae kontak dr Justin Hatting by die LNR-KGI by of hattingj@arc.agric.za. 11

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15 Pecan SOIL and PRODUCTION Potential By George Ray McEachern, Professor of Horticulture, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas Pecan South, Volume 48, No.2, April 2015 Many factors influence production and profitability but few or none are more important than the soil on which pecans are grown. We always say, "Pecans need deep, well-drained soil;" but the question is how deep and how well drained? Irrigation is important, but the water delivery and rate depends on the soil. Soil and water go hand in hand with pecans. Amazingly, we know and have worked with growers with less than ideal soil but with an excellent understanding of their soil, some have made it work. On the other hand, some growers with good soil fail to understand their soil and produce less than their soil potential. In Texas, a 12-inch soil can bear 500 pounds per acre with good management, a 24-inch soil can bear 1,000 pounds and a 36-inch soil can bear 1,500 pounds. Very deep, well drained soils with sufficient clean irrigation water can bear more. Root anchorage depends on soil and roots, enough to withstand high winds and heavy crop loads. When hurricanes or tornados blow trees over, we learn the depth and drainage of our soil. Following a storm, large slabs of soil and roots are pulled up and exposed; thus we see the number and size of the roots, the distribution of the roots, and root type, being a tap root or fibrous root system. The classic Hugo Pape pecan tap root on the bank of the Guadalupe River was one large tap root 15 feet deep with large lateral roots extending out 50 feet. In contrast, when some large 50-year-old 'Stuart' trees were blown over at the Texas A&M orchard, the trees had no tap roots, but numerous large lateral roots growing out of the ground-line crown. Soil/root complex. Why do roots only grow so deep, then fail to develop? Mature trees uprooted by a storm provide the answer. Where there is no water, there are no roots. Where there is no soil air, there are no roots. We all know the importance of water, but many growers fail to appreciate the importance of soil air, with water, on root growth. Root systems should be dynamic, constantly generating new roots. With soil water and air, as young roots die, new roots grow back immediately. However, without water and air, as young roots die, no new roots form. Soil air. In general, we say the soil should be 50 percent particles(sand, silt, clay), 25 percent water, and 25 percent air (which is 21 percent oxygen). If the soil does not have sufficient oxygen, several negative issues occur: (1) young roots die and water absorption via osmosis stops; (2) with no oxygen, essential nutrient ions such as nitrogen cannot be absorbed because it is an active transport system which requires energy and oxygen; (3) when root tips die due to no soil oxygen, the plant growth regulator, cytokinin, is no longer produced from the root tips and cell division throughout the tree slows or stops; and (4) when there is sufficient oxygen in the soil, the root system can selectively exclude' salt absorption. In short, with good soil drainage and sufficient soil air/ oxygen, pecan roots can absorb water and nutrients, produce cytokinin and exclude salts. Soil depth. Most of the water and nutrients absorbed by the tree are in the top 12 inches of soil because oxygen is highest there. We also say that 90 percent of the water and nutrients are absorbed in the top 36 inches of soil. However, when one has superior soil such as those on terraces or ridges of major rivers, absorption can be much deeper, thus more and better. Our major rivers can have 30 feet of drained soil and our smaller lesser rivers can have 10 feet of well-drained soil. Creeks can have deep soil, but they can also have shallow soil. The West Cross Timbers region of Texas has some extremely deep well drained soil with season-long water-holding capacity and very deep root development. East Texas upland soils are usually less deep with limited water-holding capacity, but with irrigation can do well. Clay layers in alluvial soils adjacent to our major rivers can stop the upward movement of water during periods of drought and stop the downward movement of water during periods of heavy rain. These clay layers can and do create underground "perched" water tables that prevent new roots from forming due to no soil oxygen. All river bottom orchards have spots or areas where trees fail to grow or die; in most cases this is due to underground clay layers. Shallow soils hold less water and saturate faster/easier resulting in no soil oxygen. Growers with shallow soil need to apply only the amount of water the soil can hold. Shallow soils also need to be irrigated more frequently to supply the volume that has been used by the tree. Soil texture is sand, silt and clay, or the size of soil particles. A loam is a combination of these different particle sizes. Sandy soils drain fast with higher oxygen potential, but have poor water- and nutrient-holding capacity. Clay is extremely small particles, at only 2 microns, with slow drainage but high waterand nutrient-holding capacity. Professor Fred Brison taught me a good lesson on soil texture; he said, "Young trees grow fast on sandy soil; but old trees bear better on clay soils." The ideal soil would be a deep, sandy clay loam having both oxygen and water. Soil structure. Clay can have good soil structure or poor, and there is a big difference. When a clay soil has good structure, the chemistry is such that the clay particles flocculate to form aggregates. Clay soil with good structure drains well; plus it has good water- and nutrient-absorption potential and air can move into and within the soil. Clay soil with good structure will crumble when squeezed in the hand. Clay soil that has poor structure is as hard as a rock when dry. If clay soils are irrigated 13

16 Pecan SOIL and PRODUCTION Potential...continued with high sodium water, the soil becomes deflocculated and it begins to drain poorly and water and oxygen fail to move in the soil. There are millions of acres of good soil in Texas that have no pecan potential because the irrigation water contains too much sodium. Soil scientists use a Sodium Absorption Ration (SAR) to evaluate water for irrigation; an SAR 4 or less is ideal, an SAR of 5 to 7 is acceptable, but will need clean irrigation water or rain to leach sodium out of the soil. An SAR 8 to 12 should not be planted with pecans. Mature orchards with high SAR and destroyed soil structure can be helped, not corrected, by tilling gypsum (calcium sulfate) into the soil. At El Paso and Las Cruces, some growers with severe sodium issues with no drainage have worked hard to rebuild soil structure between mature pecan tree rows. Gypsum was mixed with the sodium dead soil between rows with a track hoe in trenches 12 feet wide and 6 feet deep. In theory, the calcium from the gypsum will move onto the clay while sodium will move off the clay. Clean irrigation water or rainfall can then leach the now unattached sodium below the potential root zone. Soil or irrigation water with an SAR 13 or higher cannot be used for pecans. Soil ph is the best and most important information one obtains from a soil analysis. The ideal soil ph is 6.0 to 6.7 for most crops. Pecan do well in a wide range of soil ph. If the soil is too acid, ground limestone (lime) will need to be added; otherwise there will be insufficient calcium in the soil for ideal tree growth and production. Dolomitic limestone with calcium and magnesium is sometimes used. On the other hand, if the soil is too alkaline with a ph 7.9 to 8.4, the pecan root system will not absorb sufficient zinc or iron, regardless of their level in the soil. In the irrigated West where all pecan soils have a high ph, ammonium sulfate fertilizer is used, because it helps lower the soil ph. All pecans on acid or alkaline soils benefit from frequent foliar zinc sprays, but with high ph soils zinc sprays are essential. Compaction of soil can become a issue with repeated heavy equipment use in the orchard. Cultivation, irrigation and equipment traffic over time can move clay particles below the tilled layer and create a plow pan. Growers need to dig holes in their orchard to see if the soil is soft or hard. If the soil is too hard to dig, it is too hard for roots to grow. Drainage and aeration. In high dollar vineyards of Europe, every vine row has a French drain 36 inches below the soil line to move water out of the soil and prevent water saturation. Golf courses and athletic fields now use plastic drainage pipes to prevent sub-surface soil saturation with water. Low places within an orchard, which trap water for longer than 48 hours, would profit from improved surface drainage on underground drainage tile. River bottom sloughs that never drain should not be planted to pecans. When trees die in poorly drained sites, trees should not be replanted. Soil color in river flood plains can be an indicator of how well the soil drains and how aerated the soil may be. In Texas many years ago, the red soils of the high plains were transported down the Red, Brazos and Colorado rivers to the flood plains of East and South Texas. These are excellent soils as they tend to be deep, well drained, and fertile. These river bottoms have ridges or terraces that are higher than the normal floor and they are also usually a sandy loam, two reasons that make them outstanding pecan soils. A special thank you goes to Jason and Jennifer Pape for a very generous gift to the Texas A&M Pecan Orchard in honor of their dad and friend of all pecan growers, the late Harold Pape. We all miss Harold, he was a wealth of pecan knowledge, and we know no one loved pecans more he. Harold was a true pecan hero. Pecan Orchard ESTABLISHMENT By George Ray McEachern - Professor of Horticulture, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas g-mceachern@tamu.edu Pecan South, Volume 48, No.3, May 2015 Planting seed in place. Pecan orchards are difficult to establish by planting seed because it requires individual tree care for tree selection, irrigation, weed control and unwanted tree removal. All of which occurs over a long 3 to 5 year period of time. Though seemingly less costly, it is however the most expensive system for planting a pecan orchard because of the 3 to 5 years it takes to get the trees up and growing. It is difficult to control weeds on these small trees, which are far apart. Grow your own nursery seedlings or grafted trees. Some growers start by growing pecan nursery trees and planting them to develop their own orchard. The decision to grow nursery trees or purchase trees depends on the individual. Nursery trees 14

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19 Pecan Orchard ESTABLISHMENT...continued are easy to grow, but very difficult to dig after 3 years. Growers with container nursery skills can grow their own trees with good seedling trees produced in 2 or 3 years. The trees can be patch bud grafted in the container before transplanting to the orchard or the seedling trees can be transplanted and four flap or inlay bark grafted 2 or 3 years later in the orchard. The delay in grafting gives a grower 2 or 3 years to evaluate potential new varieties recently available. Three or more years are needed to successfully graft all the trees. These failed or delayed grafting efforts result in non-uniform tree size and post-graft after-care, which is extra work, or a problem. Though seemingly less costly, the grow-your-own nursery tree system takes longer time and more individual tree care, which is frequently neglected or put off until it is too late. For this reason, growers should not attempt to establish more than 10 acres with this system. There are many examples of orchards that have a significant percentage of inferior seedling trees because they were not grafted. Planting grafted nursery trees. This is the most common system used in the industry because it is fast, uniform, and with less effort and worry. It is also the least costly and comes into production fastest. Grafted nursery trees are in the adult, not juvenile, phase of growth and require modified central leader training. This requires knowledge and practice; otherwise, the trees will grow as an adult with numerous scaffold limbs too close to the ground. These multi-limb trees have problems with tree crowding, tractor passage and shaker attachment, but with more pecans in year 5, 6 and 7. However, with good establishment management and central leader training, grafted nursery trees can come into full production in seven or less years, depending on the variety. Transplanting via tree spades. In the irrigated West and to a lesser degree in Central Texas, some pecan growers intentionally plant trees too close and move every other row or tree after 3 to 5 years. The ultra-closely planted trees are easier to manage when young. The trees are later moved only a short distance by using a mechanical tree spade. The soil needs to be the same texture at both locations. Frequent tank watering or flood irrigation will be needed at the new tree site. This system is commonly called "orchard expansion". If for unexpected reasons the closely spaced trees are not moved, excessive tree crowding will result. Production age for new orchards. Some orchards require 10 to 12'years to come into production while others can bear economic crops in less than 7 years. The determining factor is the cost of harvesting when the young tree crop income is greater than the cost of harvesting, the trees are considered in production. Full production for mature trees for a specific region can be 500, 750, 1,000 or 1,500 pounds per acre and will depend on soil, water, variety, spacing and quality of management. Essential Factors Needed for Pecan Orchard Establishment Orchard size and financing. A cost of $2 to $4,000 per acre, not including the cost of the land and irrigation, is required for orchard establishment. There are in general 3 orchard sizes: small family orchards with no labor with 1 to 100 acres; moderate size orchards of 100 to 500 acres with owners providing management and limited labor and equipment; and corporate orchards of 500+ acres with hired management, extensive labor and equipment. Time has value and 7 to 10+ years are required for investment dollars without return. Knowledge or skills with information gathering, budgeting, record keeping, laws, labor, equipment, horticulture, irrigation, weed control, other cash flow crops, wildlife and more can influence orchard establishment. However, there are many non-formally trained individuals who have the gift of "knowing when a tree is healthy or not healthy" and they can establish a pecan orchard fast and correctly. Information gathering is a vital tool that should be used fully. The Texas Pecan Shortcourse, county Extension agents, Texas A&M pecan specialists, USDA Natural Resources and Conservation Service, fellow pecan growers, neighbors, and more need to be utilized in obtaining information on how to grow pecans. The day of "doing your own thing" is history. Pecan orchard establishment is expensive and requires time; bringing trees into production fast and correctly is essential. All growers differ in their available time, financing, knowledge, experience, equipment, climate, soil, varieties, etc; therefore, they have from the very beginning been open minded and cooperative with each and every pecan grower. This free exchange of ideas and information needs to continue and be utilized to its full potential. Climate. Pecans need to be grown in a climate with 400 hours of winter chilling, and 150 growing days to flower and ripen the crop. Early fall and late spring freezes are a concern. Soil. Pecans need deep well drained soil. A wide range of soil ph is tolerated. The USDA NRCS Soil Survey Maps are very helpful in understanding pecan orchard soil. Irrigation. Newly planted pecan trees will need moist, not wet, soil that never goes dry. Tank watering for year 1 and 2 can deliver water when and where and the correct amount. All forms of irrigation plus rainfall improve young tree growth. Never saturate the soil and never allow the root zone to become dry. Irrigation water needs to be salt free; water with an SAR of less than 4 is ideal, an SAR of less than 7 can be managed if salt free water or rainfall can leach the sodium out of the soil. Soil with an SAR of more than 8 should not be planted with pecans. Nitrogen. Once a new root system is established, frequent small nitrogen fertilization stimulates rapid shoot 17

20 Pecan Orchard ESTABLISHMENT...continued growth. Ground applied nitrogen should be stopped in mid-june to insure soil depletion of N in the fall to prevent late season growth and potential freeze injury or death. The N rate for - injection into a drip irrigation should never be more than onefourth the ground recommended rate. Foliar N in combination with zinc can be applied until mid-august and the liquid 32 percent N should never be applied at a rate higher than 1 percent to prevent foliage burn. Foliar zinc. Each spring at bud break foliar zinc as zinc sulfate powder or zinc nitrate liquid should begin. Zinc + N foliar sprays should be applied as long as new growth is being made. It is common for growers to spray zinc + N every 2 weeks; some growers spray weekly. Ground-applied zinc is not effective. Zinc chelates, zinc chloride or zinc oxide are not effective on pecans. Weed control. Glyphosate post-emergence contact herbicide is used to kill most grass and broad leaf weeds in pecans. In recent years, glyphosate-resistant pig weed has become a major issue in pecan orchards. In 2015, several ag chemical companies will be marketing several different and new combinations of glyphosate + 2,4-D herbicides; extreme care must be taken to prevent 2,4-D products from contacting any live growth on young pecan trees. Any air movement could bring 2,4- D in contact with new growth with subsequent tree damage or death. Grow tubes are essential in protecting young pecan tree trunks from damage by all contact herbicides. Shallow tillage is a good tool in controlling weeds during orchard establishment, however it cannot be used in regions that have frequent rains. Weed barriers can be used on plantings of limited trees, but it is too expensive for plantings over one acre in size. Glufosinate_ though different from glyphosate, has also failed to kill glyphosate-resistant pig weed at the A&M pecan orchard. This resistant pig weed is a major issue and there is not a reliable solution at this date, though the major ag chemical companies are working hard to discover a product or combination of products that will kill resistant pigweed. Frequent rains increase the difficulty of controlling weeds, regardless of the system. Low mowed sod, though competitive for soil moisture and soil N, may be needed in combination with weed barriers at the tree when resistant pig weed is well established in an orchard. There are additional weeds developing resistance to glyphosate, thus chemical weed control could become more difficult. Young Pecan Tree Training Fast growth is needed to properly train young pecan trees. If the tree is not growing fast, do not attempt to train the tree by repeated pruning. Fast tree growth is obtained by having and/or following the above discussed factors. These factors are more important than pruning a young tree. used to develop the adult growth into a central leader tree. The tree is cut back one-half at planting. One shoot is selected as the central leader within the top 6 inches of the cut back trunk; all other shoots are rubbed off when they are short and easy to pop off by hand. The selected shoot should make significant growth the first year. If less than 12 inches of growth on the central leader is obtained, some type of management error has occurred and extensive pruning of short shoots should not be used. When management is less than ideal, just keeping the first-year trees alive is good. The most common cause of no or limited growth the first year is failure of new roots to develop early in the growing season. Second-year central leader tree training. Select the strongest shoot as the central leader and cut it back one half in the dormant season before growth starts. The one-half cut-back point is only on the one-year growth from last season. When new shoot growth begins, select the strongest new shoot and hand remove all the other shoots within 6 inches of the cut-back point. This hand-selected shoot should make outstanding growth for the entire growing season. This selected central leader has been known to grow 12 feet in one year. Do not remove any side shoots on the young tree unless they are 1 inch in diameter. If central leader training was not practiced the first year, remove all 'V' trunks so that the tree will have only one central leader. Do the cut back on the strongest shoot that is only one year old. Third-year central leader tree training. Repeat the same training and pruning technique used in year two. Cut back and select the central leader. As new shoots grow at the cut-back point, remove all shoots except the selected central leader. On the trunk, do not remove side shoots until they are 1 inch in diameter because they produce the food that feeds the new central leader growth. Scaffold limbs can develop 5 feet above ground. Do not allow scaffold limbs to develop on the lower 5 foot of tree trunk. Should 'V' trunks occur, remove one so that the tree has only one central leader. Thin out or prune out scaffold limbs which are stacked immediately above each other. Thin out scaffold limbs that are opposite each other on the trunk. Tip or Suggestions When Training Young Pecan Trees. The first year is for new root growth, so do not become too anxious for fast shoot growth. Heavy cu-back pruning always stimulates rapid compensatory growth on a few shoots. Tip pruning removes the apical dominance of the terminal bud and allows many lateral shoots. Always leave a short collar on the trunk when a shoot is pruned off. This collar is the passage way for food and water above and below the cut. Pruning and tree training can be done any day of the year, not just in the winter dormant period. It is better to prune while the shoots are small, rather than later when major cuts will be needed. Modified central leader tree training is the system 18

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25 ALGEMENE JAARVERGADERING ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING EEN VAN DIE HOOGTEPUNTE OP SAPPA SE 2015 KALENDER IS DIE AJV! Maak dit sommer n heerlike WEGBREEK naweek vir die hele gesin en bespreek nou julle verblyf. Verblyf is beskikbaar in die Pongola omgewing. Kontak hulle so gou as moontlik, sodat hulle plek virjou n plek kan bespreek. ONE OF THE HIGHLIGTHS ON SAPPA S 2015 CALENDAR IS THE AGM! Why not make it a wonderful GETAWAY weekend for you and your family by booking accommodation in the Pongola area. Book as soon as possible to prevent disappointment AGM 6 & 7 November Pongola The program for the AGM will include the following: Friday 6 November: Morning session Feedback on research projects Guest Speaker: Daniel J (Dan) Zedan USA Dan will include the following in his presentation: Trends in US pecan consumption Chinese market vs emerging markets Longterm market for pecans Afternoon session AGM Saturday 7 November: Introduction to Sponsors Field Visits Akkommodasie Accommodation Aber Jetz B/B...herbst@ananzi.co.za Coco Cabana B/B...cococabana@telkomsa.net Dive Inn B/B...diveinn@pga.dorea.co.za Dweba Lapa S/C...dwebalapa@gmail.com Elegant Lodge...info@elegantlodgepongola.co.za of Koppie Alleen B/B...koppie@alleenguesthouse.co.za Kwalala Guesthouse...quarto@cybertrade.co.za Pongola Country Lodge...info@pongolacountrylodge.co.za Rose Garden B/B...alton@vlokkie.co.za The Guest House...info@guesthousepongola.co.za

26 Soil ZINC APPLICATIONS in the West can Work By Richard Heerema and Jim Walworth Heerema is a pecan specialist at New Mexico State University, rjheerem@nmsu.edu. Walworth is a soil science professor at University of Arizona, walworth@ag.arizona Pecan South, Volume 48, No.4, June 2015.edu. One of the most serious challenges for pecan producers out here in the southwestern growing region is maintaining adequate micronutrient nutrition of the trees. Micronutrient imbalances are common with pecan trees everywhere they are grown, but they are particularly difficult to manage in the arid/semi-arid western U.S. because of the nature of the region's soils. While soils in most pecan growing areas worldwide tend to be near neutral or acidic (ph < 7.0), southwestern soils typically are calcareous (i.e., lime containing) and alkaline, often with ph levels of 8.0 or above. Even if an alkaline soil contains high levels of micronutrients such as zinc, iron, manganese, copper and nickel, these nutrients are very poorly available because of the soil ph. Applying acids or acidifying fertilizers to soils to increase micronutrient availability is sometimes practiced, but is really only effective temporarily in most western soils because of their high buffering capacity against changes in ph. Among the micronutrients, deficiencies for zinc are particularly common in pecans grown on alkaline soils. Fenn et al. (1990) studied the effects of soil ph on zinc availability in a South Texas soil and found that water extractable soil zinc decreased from 394 ppm down to only 12 ppm as soil ph increased from ph 4 to ph 8. Providing sufficient zinc as a soil-applied fertilizer is difficult in calcareous soils such as those found in the southwestern U.S. because of the extremely low solubility of zinc in alkaline conditions, and additionally because carbonate minerals complex to zinc in the soil including any zinc added in the common zinc salt fertilizers (like zinc sulfate). As a demonstration of the difficulty, Storey et al. (1971) showed that a soil application of over 250 pounds of zinc sulfate was needed to provide adequate nutrition for a single pecan tree growing in a calcareous soil! Of course, that's just not a practical solution in a commercial pecan orchard. Not all pecan cultivars are created equal when it comes to zinc deficiency. 'Wichita' and 'Pawnee', for example, are far more susceptible to zinc deficiency problems when grown in alkaline soils than is 'Western' (aka `Western Schley') and they require much more vigilance with zinc management. As most experienced pecan growers are already aware, zinc deficiency symptoms in pecan trees appear as small leaves and short internodes (the distances between buds on a shoot) giving the shoots a kind of "rosette" appearance. In the early part of the growing season, the leaves of zinc-deficient pecan trees have a distinctive wavy margin and light green color with darker green tissues near the veins. As the season progresses, the leaf symptoms often get more extreme and the eventually dark brown dead blotches appear between the leaf veins, especially toward the bases of the leaflets. Zinc deficiency leads to poor tree survival, growth and establishment in young orchards even mild deficiencies can add years to the time between planting and harvesting the first significant nut crop. In bearing pecan orchards with zinc deficiency, branch dieback occurs, the number of female flowers that appear in the spring drops off dramatically, and kernel development is weak, ultimately affecting nut yield and profitability. Due to the difficulty of supplying zinc via soil applications in the Southwest, foliar zinc application has become the standard practice in the Southwest. Zinc sulfate, oxide or nitrate is sprayed directly on the pecan foliage beginning early in the season, repeated every 1-3 weeks until shoot and leaf growth has subsided. A total of 3 to 5 applications are typically required for mature trees, depending on cultivar and soil conditions, whereas rapidly growing young trees may require as many as 14 annual applications. Repeated applications and excellent canopy spray coverage are critical because, once it has been absorbed by a leaf, zinc from foliarapplied zinc salt fertilizers does not move to other parts of the tree or even within the leaflet tissues. The expense, inconvenience, and inefficiency of foliar zinc application have created strong interest amongst southwestern pecan growers in developing an effective method for management of zinc nutrition though soil fertilizer applications. Since 2011 we have been evaluating the possibility of applying zinc fertilizers dissolved in irrigation water to meet the zinc needs of immature 'Wichita' and 'Western' trees in a southeastern Arizona orchard with soil ph 8.1. Chelated zinc (zinc chemically bound inside a "claw-shaped" organic molecule) is less subject to the reactions that occur in calcareous soils than zinc from zinc salts (like zinc sulfate). We used zinc chelated with EDTA applied through a micro sprinkler irrigation system at two annual rates, 2 and 4 pounds zinc/acre (in case you're curious, EDTA stands for ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid let's just call it EDTA). For comparison, we had an untreated control that received no soil-applied zinc fertilizers. Also, no foliar zinc fertilizers were applied to any of the treatments or the control in this trial. We recorded effects of these treatments on the tree tissue zinc concentrations, tree zinc deficiency symptom severity, growth responses, nut production and photosynthesis. Both cultivars exhibited elevated leaf tissue zinc concentrations in response to fertigated zinc EDTA. In general, 'Western' had higher leaf zinc concentrations than 'Wichita' (Figures 1 and 2), which is testimony to the superior adaptation of `Western' to alkaline soil. 'Western' and 'Wichita' foliar zinc levels reached a maximum of 29 and 24 ppm, respectively, in the 4 pounds/ acre zinc treatments in In the 2 pounds/acre zinc treatments, leaf zinc levels were 14 and 18 ppm, while the untreated (0 pounds/acre zinc) trees of 'Wichita' and 'Western', respectively, had only 8 and 7 mg-kg-1. 24

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29 Has RAIN Washed AWAY the Pecan Crop? By Charlie Graham LSU Pecan Extension Specialist, Red River Research Station, Bossier City, LA. Pecan South, Volume 48, No.4, June 2015 As I sit down to write this article, the spring season is coming to an end. Catkins have come and gone, and most trees are finished shedding pollen for the year. Normally, I would have spent the last couple of months watching my wife and kids suffer through another miserable allergy season in Louisiana. But this year was not as bad as years past and you might be wondering why this year was different than others. The short answer is R-A-I- N! And while we have had above average rainfall, more importantly, it has rained often. Since March 1, not only has it rained at-least one day each week, more often,. it rained on 3-5 different days each week. So, there have been only a few opportunities for pollen to blow around in the air before the next rain shower came through. While it has been a blessing for allergy sufferers, it is a cause for concern for pecan growers. Wet weather in April and May can result in a poor pecan crop set. Rain can restrict pollen movement by wind and wash pollen off of flowers before it can germinate and penetrate the stigmatic surface. It generally takes about an hour for pollen to become fully hydrated on the stigma and an additional 3 hours for it to germinate. Fruit drop occurring from 14 to 45 days after pollination is widely considered to be due to problems with pollen availability or to self-pollination by a cultivar. By the time this article is published next month, we should be able to determine what effect the rainy weather had on fruit set. Hopefully enough pollen was shed between rain showers to set a good crop, but protecting it will be an issue if the current weather patterns continue. Frequent rain storms and warm weather will provide almost perfect conditions for the development of pecan scab on the leaves and nuts. Growers needed to get out several early season fungicide applications this year, but many orchards were too wet to get the ground air-blast sprayers in the orchards. This led to some growers only getting 1 or 2 sprays out. Some growers opted for aerial application of fungicide and zinc. This usually works well in early season when the canopy is still developing, but will be less effective as the leaves mature, blocking movement of the fungicide through the canopy. We have already seen a considerable amount of scab lesions develop on susceptible cultivars such as 'Desirable'. With an increase in the number of fungicide sprays required to protect the crop this year, growers need to be diligent in rotating the chemical groups they are applying through the season. The continuous use of the same chemical group will lead to scab developing resistance to that family of fungicides. Following several wet years, -Georgia is reporting scab resistance development to propiconazole (Group 3), fentin hydroxide (Group 30), and thiophanate-methyl (Group 1) in some orchards. Earlier in this article I discussed pollen allergies, but now I want to spend a little time discussing another allergy that is not as prevalent. Unfortunately, nuts and tree nuts (including pecan) are included in a list of 8 food groups that cause the majority of food allergies (U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2010). So what is actually happening when someone has an allergic reaction to nuts? Everyone is aware that our body's immune system provides protection against diseases attacking our body. When someone with a nut allergy eats a nut, proteins are released as the nut is digested and-our immune system misguidedly recognizes these proteins as a threat to our bodies. Our immune system overreacts which leads to an allergic reaction in which chemicals like histamine are released by our body. This leads to typical allergy symptoms of wheezing, coughing, throat tightness, vomiting, diarrhea, swollen eyes, and in severe cases can cause a drop in blood pressure. A severe reaction is known as anaphylaxis (pronounced an-uh-ful-lax-is) and if not treated quickly, it can be life threatening. The primary treatment for an anaphylaxis is administration of epinephrine. Nuts and tree nuts are among the highest producers of IgEmediated allergic reactions following food ingestion. In the United States, food allergy produces approximately 30,000 anaphylactic reactions and 200 fatalities per year (Yocum et al., 1999). Peanuts or tree nuts cause more than 80 percent of these reactions. Tree nut consumption is a healthy dietary habit and several studies have shown that nuts are high in antioxidants and have a beneficial effect on the outcome of coronary disease and cholesterol serum levels (Morgan and Clayshulte, 2000; Rajaram et al., 2001; Haddad et al., 2006). In the last few years there has been an increase in nut and tree nut consumption because of their favorable health effects. This has led to nuts being used in an ever increasing array of fresh and processed foods. The increased incorporation of nuts in processed foods may facilitate contamination of other food products being handled in the same food manufacturing line (Teuber et al. 2003). Thus, there is an increased chance of accidental nut ingestion for those trying to avoid nuts. The Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act passed in 2004 requires that nuts be included on the label when they are used as ingredients in a food product. However, I receive almost daily alerts of product recalls because of undeclared allergens on the product label. One way we may be able to find new solutions for those who suffer from food allergy is to develop a better understanding of allergen synthesis in crops. This has led to the USDA and LSU AgCenter scientists joining forces to study the 27

30 Has RAIN Washed AWAY the Pecan Crop?...continued allergens present in pecan nuts. To better understand this collaborative research, it may be helpful to take a quick refresher course in plant genetics. The plant genome is made up of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), a long, winding, double-helical molecule that contains the instructions needed to build and maintain cells. For these instructions to be carried out, DNA must be transcribed (converted) into corresponding molecules of ribonucleic acid (RNA), referred to as transcripts. A transcriptome represents the very small percentage of the genome that is transcribed into-rna molecules. In the future, results such as these could be applied to transcriptional control methods to reduce or eliminate allergens There are various kinds of RNA in a plant. The major type, called messenger RNA (mrna), plays a vital role in making proteins. In this process, mrna transcribed from genes, which include the protein-coding parts of the genome, is delivered to ribosomes. The ribosomes read, or "translate," the sequence of the chemical letters in mrna to' assemble building blocks called amino acids into proteins. Each mrna is transcribed from a gene and then translated into a specific protein. The process of determining the genetic codes contained in the transcriptome and their relative proportions is known as transcriptome sequencing. Once a transcriptome has been sequenced, we can use the information to identify which parts of the genome are used to code for active genes. If several transcriptomes are sequenced under different growth or environmental conditions, we can study these transcriptomes and start to determine which genes are involved in various biological processes. This might include the identification of genes important for the nutritional, sensory, or yield characteristics of pecan nuts, or the reponse of trees to pests or drought conditions. "Major" food allergens are typically water-soluble glycoproteins 10 to 70kD in size that are relatively stable to heat, acid, and proteases. Three conserved seed-storage proteins from the prolamin and cupin superfamilies, including 2S albumin, 7S vicillin, and 11S legumin are commonly identified as allergens in nuts. The first step in the collaborative research between the USDA and LSU AgCenter was to investigate the timing of gene expression of genes encoding 3 highly conserved, allergenic seed-storage proteins in developing pecans. Mattison et al. (2013) measured the transcript levels of the Car i I and Car i 4 genes as well as the Car i 7S homologue over the course of kernel development (August through October) in the pecan cultivars `Desirable' and 'Sumner' using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RTqPCR). Both cultivars generally had similar levels of transcripts throughout kernel development, except 'Desirable' had higher levels of Car i 1 and Car i 4 in August. However, transcript levels for the tested pecan allergens varied during nut development. 28

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32 STREEK 7 Vergaderings 2015 Streeksvergaderings het vroeg afgeskop hierdie jaar. Beide die vergaderings is in die eerste kwartaal van die jaar aangebied. Die hoofrede hiervoor was om die opdrag van die AJV 2015, tov behoeftebepaling vir hernuwing van statutêre maatreëls, uit te voer. Coligny Dit het al gewoonte geword om ten minste 2 vergaderings per jaar in Streek 7 te hou een in die weste en een in die ooste. Na 'n uiters suksesvolle vergadering op Skeerpoort in 2014 was dit die westelikes se beurt om die vergadering aan te bied. Daarom is die eerste vergadering op 21 Februarie te G. Schutte Landgoed anderkant Coligny, op pad na Lichtenburg, gehou. Ons het ook gehoop om een of twee van die slim amerikaners te kaap, wat dieselfde dag sou arriveer om later as gassprekers by Die 2de SA Pekanneut Konferensie op te tree. Maar helaas, ons was blykbaar bietjie vinnig vir hulle en hulle het nog vlugflouheid onderlede gehad. Kyk, die manne van Wes-Transvaal stem nie maklik in om klomp vreemdes op hul plase te ontvang en te onthaal nie, maar die dag as hulle dit doen, dan doen hulle dit met oorgawe. Die kantoor word ingerig om registrasies maklik te hanteer geen lang toue. Die stoor word skoongemaak, tafels en stoele netjies uitgepak selfs tafeldoek en blomme vir voorsitters-tafel! Daar was ook genoeg spasie binne die stoor vir Bill Vogts se bussie met Löwe en Silky produkte. aandag gekry tydens die bespreking asook snoeipraktyke tydens die boordbesoek. Gerhard, Mariëtte dankie vir julle wonderlike gasvryheid, op tipiese Wes-Transvaalse manier. Die G.Schutte landgoed is beslis nou een van die venues vir toekomstige vergaderings. Baie dankie aan ons produsente vir getroue ondersteuning en aktiewe deelname. Dankie aan die borge: Agrico, Arbor Supply, Senwes, Valtra. Magaliesburg Presies 'n maand later het ons op 21 Maart 2015 by Zandfontein Family Organics bymekaargekom vir 'n fokus op Pekanboom kwekerye en boomstandaarde. Die lapa word spesiaal reggemaak om gaste te onthaal na afloop van die amptelike verrigtinge dan word daar behoorlik gekuier! Na afhandeling van die amptelike SAPPA verrigtinge, en 'n mandaat vir hernuwing van statutêre maatreëls, het Hardus du Toit ons toegespreek oor Boordbestuur. Soos Hardus self ook gesê het, dis 'n wye onderwerp waaroor lank gesels kan word, maar as gasspreker het hy homself goed van sy taak gekwyt. Sy benadering het goed aanklank gevind by die produsente in die sin dat hy die bespreking oopgegooi het en gevra het vir spesifieke kwessies oor boordbestuur waarmee produsente sukkel in die westelike streek. Op 'n stadium het Hardus kompetisie gekry van 'n harde reënbui wat druis op die dak. Maar in Wes-Transvaal is ons altyd dankbaar vir die reën. Navorsing, biologiese vs Chemiese bemesting het baie 30

33 STREEK 7 Vergaderings 2015 Ek was nogal in die knyp met 'n gasspreker vir die geleentheid, maar 'n ou staatmaker in ons geweste, Oom Juri Bezuidenhout, het tot my redding gekom en my in kontak gebring met Willem J. Kruger van Delta Chemicals. Hennie en Nelia, dankie dat julle reggestaan met verwelkoming en spyseniering. Willem het 'n vriend, Dr. De Buys Scott, al die pad van Bethelehem saamgebring om met ons te kom praat oor voedingsbehoeftes van pekanneute, spesifiek mikro-elemente en die vorme daarvan. Dr Scott is waarskynlik meer bekend vir sy werk by die Klein Graan Instituut en sy handboek oor Wheat Diseases in South Africa. Maar, hy het 'n baie toepaslike lesing gegee en geillustreer hoe Sinkchloried, as alternatief tot die tradisionele toepassings van sink, aan die sinkbehoeftes van pekanneute kan voldoen. Dankie aan al ons produsente en borge vir die getroue ondersteuning van ons boeredae. Arbor Supply Delta Chemicals Elandsdraai Pecan Growers Hytech besproeiing IPAK RovicLeers Skeerpoort Pekans Zandfontein Organics Gaste is op bees-sleepwaens gelaai op 'n begeleide toer deur Gavin Amos en Hennie Schutte deur die kwekery, erdwurmaanleg en die boord. < Dries Duvenhage (Streek 8) Hennie is Gavin se nuwe regterhand op die plaas en hy maak reeds 'n groot verskil. Ons sien dit in die kwaliteit pekanbome wat gelewer word! 31

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35 LIST OF MEMBERS of the National Council of Representatives of the SAPPA Visit for a more detailed map National Chairman HEIKO MEIER pecanpro@cybertrade.co.za Region Streek 1 IVAN OTTO ivan@dgsd.co.za Region Streek 2 ALBERT BOUWMEESTER abbybouw@lantic.net Region Streek 3 HEIKO MEIER pecanpro@cybertrade.co.za Region Streek 4 MORNE ROSS morne@greenvalleynuts.co.za Region Streek 5 PHILIP ANTROBUS philip@r Region Streek 6 JOHAN COETZEE johan@pekan.co.za Region Streek 7 HANRU PIENAAR hpienaar@adept.co.za Region Streek 8 DRIES DUVENHAGE duven@lantic.net Region Streek 9 GIDEON VAN ZYL gideon@lantic.net Tegniese Beampte HARDUS DU TOIT sappahardus@gmail.com Transformasie Koördineerder ANDRÉ COETZEE andrecoetzee@hortgro.co.za

36 Don't Underestimate VALUE OF AIR-FLOW, Elevation in SCAB CONTROL By Lenny Wells Extension Pecan Specialist, University of Georgia, Tifton, GA. Pecan South, Volume 48, No.6, August 2015 (pg. 4) Fungicides do most of the heavy lifting regarding scab control and we often tend to focus all of our attention on fungicide selection when battling scab. But, there are many more factors that go into protecting a crop from disease. Coverage, for example, is vitally important. If you don't cover the nuts with fungicide, you can't expect it to work. If you have good scab control from the bottom of the tree up to about three fourths of the way from the top, the problem is coverage and not the fungicide you are using. Dr. Katherine Stevenson's fungicide sensitivity work has re-enforced the idea of managing our fungicides for resistance. But, many growers automatically assume if they get scab showing up one or two weeks behind a fungicide spray, then the chemistry they were using is not working. This is not necessarily true. While resistance may be a possibility, there are other factors to consider. Testing samples from your orchard is the only way to know if the scab in that orchard is becoming less sensitive to the fungicide. In the meantime, take an opportunity to examine these other factors. Be aware of the timing of your application. How long has it been since the previous spray? How many rains did the orchard receive between these sprays and how soon did it rain after you sprayed? Was the wind blowing when you sprayed? If so, you probably didn't get the coverage you needed. One of the most often over-looked factors I see regarding the level of scab control a grower achieves is a consideration of the site where the orchard was planted. Not long ago, I spoke with a grower who had been, on a very good fungicide program. His scab control was excellent in most orchards but in a few orchards scab was a problem. As it turns out, most of those orchards in which scab was becoming a problem were smaller orchards of 30 acres or less and surrounded by woods. The surrounding woods hold moisture in the area and block wind, limiting airflow in the orchard. Sounds too simple to be the source of the problem, but I've seen it many times. Aside from air flow, elevation is an important factor to consider as well. Most growers know this but too often fail to accept it as a serious issue in their own orchards. Scabsusceptible cultivars planted in low lying areas often have serious problems with scab. This can be readily observed by comparing scab severity on trees on low and high ground within the same orchards. Invariably those trees at the bottom of a slope or in a low-lying hole will have more scab problems than those on the higher ground. A scab susceptible cultivar planted in a low-lying area surrounded by woods is a recipe for scab problems no matter what fungicide program you are using. Certain conditions may cause the climate in one zone within an area to differ from the surrounding areas. I believe this is one reason we see such a wide spectrum of disease control from one area to another with basically the same fungicides being used. The scientific term for this is "microclimate" and it varies greatly when comparing, for example, Albany, Georgia with Ft. Valley, or Waycross with Americus. We often talk about the differences in the amount of rainfall in these locations. But, middle Georgia is on much higher ground than that of Southwest or Southeast Georgia. Ft. Valley's elevation is 518 feet above sea level, Albany 200 feet, Americus 479 feet, Waycross 130 feet. This is why we suggest planting scab susceptible cultivars like 'Desirable' only above Highway 280 in Georgia. This brings to mind the thought that I've never looked at any data regarding scab control at varying elevations to determine what the ideal threshold may be; but if you look at elevations above Highway 280 most are at 280 feet above sea level or more. Perhaps we could call this the "280 Rule" no highly scab susceptible cultivars planted below Highway 280 or below 280 feet in elevation. A foot difference in elevation can make a big difference in the amount of moisture held in an area. As a result, it also makes a big difference in the ability of scab to grow. It's the difference between controlling scab on 'Desirable' with 8-10 sprays versus You simply can't control scab in the same manner in each of these locations due to the microclimate. But, even with good elevation, an orchard surrounded by woods will tend to have more scab issues than one out in the open. I met with a grower a few years ago in middle Georgia who was having problems with scab control in an orchard growing beside a large block of hardwoods that sloped down to a creek. Air flow was an obvious problem. The decision was made to remove a portion of the hardwoods, opening up more room for sunlight and air movement in the pecan orchard. As a result, scab control improved dramatically. There was no need to undergo the time consuming and expensive task of changing over cultivars in the orchard or changing up the fungicide spray program. Simply taking the time to look around at the surroundings with an open mind provided the solution. We often get locked into a certain mind-set desiring a quick and easy fix like changing fungicides or spraying more often but, many times, there is more to the solution or we are simply on the wrong track. So, if you are having trouble managing scab, don't assume the fungicides are not working. In most cases, 34

37 Don't Underestimate VALUE OF AIR-FLOW, Elevation in SCAB CONTROL...continued fungicide selection or efficacy is not the problem. Take a look around at the orchard surroundings. If you are considering planting an orchard, especially if the land has a slope to it, plant more scab-susceptible cultivars on the higher ground and plant scab-tolerant cultivars on the lower ground. If you have an orchard surrounded by woods and is having trouble managing scab, push the wood-line back if it's on your property, and allow additional air flow into the orchard. This should improve the scab 35

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39 How much FERTILIZER do YOUNG Pecan Trees NEED? By Lenny Wells Extension Pecan Specialist, University of Georgia, Tifton, GA. Pecan South, Volume 48, No.3, May 2015 Root dry weight typically comprises percent of total tree dry weight one year following transplant, which suggests that pecan tree transplants direct most of their resources to root establishment in the first growing season in the orchard. Pecan trees in the first 2 to 3 years of establishment have a limited root system compared with more mature trees, thus their capacity for uptake of N and other nutrients is limited. Additionally, most pecan nurseries maintain high fertility to shorten rotation -time and increase nursery production. As a result, trees often maintain adequate levels of N through the first year following transplant to the orchard. So, just how much fertilizer do young trees need? Historically, N fertilizer recommendations for young pecan trees in Georgia orchards have been minimal regarding the use 'of dry, granular fertilizer. Fertigation was discouraged due to the perceived potential for root damage from excessive concentration of N in the root zone. The prolonged period from tree planting to first commercial harvest of pecan provides incentive for many growers to push young trees into commercial production as soon as possible. This management has included high nitrogen (N) application rates with or without fertigation. However, until recently, there was little data regarding the effect of N fertilization or fertigation on young pecan trees grown under southeastern U.S. orchard conditions. We recently completed a study comparing fertigation with application of a complete dry fertilizer ( ) and dry granular urea on first-through third-year trees, evaluating the effect on tree growth and leaf N. We began the study with newly planted 'Cunard' trees and second-year 'Cape Fear' trees. Rates and response of pecan tree growth and leaf N can be seen in the accompanying tables. Balanced granular fertilizer was applied to "Cunard' trees once per year (9 May) in 2013 and twice per year (25 April and 29 June) in The total volumes of UAN and granular urea were each split into 4 equal applications on 9 May, 28 June, 12. July and 6 August For 'Cape Fear' trees, balanced granular fertilizer applications were split into 3 applications (9 May, 28 June and 12 July) in 2013 and 3 applications (21 April, 27 May and 18 June) in The total volumes of UAN and granular urea were each split into 4 separate applications. Application dates were 9 May, 28 June, 12 July and 6 August During 2014, applications were made 25 April, 28 May, 29 June, 29 July. Lack of pecan tree response to fertilizer N during the year of planting, as observed for first-year `Cunard' trees, supports previous recommen-dations for pecan that no fertilizer N or only a modest amount of fertilizer N is necessary for pecan trees during the first growing season in the orchard. Similarly, application of fertilizer N in the second and third years following planting had minimal effects on growth or leaf N, and there were no differences between fertigation and complete dry fertilizer application. Thus, only a modest amount of fertilizer N is needed in second- and third-year trees to maintain adequate pecan tree growth and leaf N concentration. Lack of young fruit tree response to N has been attributed to mineralized soil organic N, low weed competition, residual soil inorganic N, low tree N requirements, and remobilization of stored N from fertilizer applied in the nursery. Although no direct measurements of soil N were taken during the current study, the soils on which the study was conducted generally retain very little plant available N and fertilizer N is usually required for optimal plant growth. Therefore, it is likely that tree N reserves were remobilized for growth of first-leaf pecan trees. Fertigation is an effective method of applying fertilizer to pecan trees, especially in large orchards, where additional hand labor may be required for manual application of dry fertilizer to each tree. Fertigation at rates up to 25 pounds/acre (split into multiple applications) for first-year trees and 50 pounds/acre for second- and third-year trees can be safely applied; however, such rates are unnecessary for adequate growth and development of young pecan trees and may result in nutrient leaching and runoff. Fertigation at rates of pounds N/acre (split into multiple applications) would be sufficient for first- to third-year trees. Fertigation of young pecan trees at the above rates only seem to be a cause for concern regarding root damage during the establishment phase if irrigation systems are not properly maintained or flushed following fertilizer application, allowing excessive N accumulation in the root zone of young trees. While there was not a consistent response of leaf P or leaf K concentration to balanced fertilizer, the trees did appear to respond to the balanced fertilizer treatment. This result was likely associated with applying less N to obtain the same growth rate. While there were minimal or no differences in trunk 37

40 How much FERTILIZER do YOUNG Pecan Trees NEED?...continued diameter growth between treatments, there were significant differences in trunk diameter growth per unit of N applied (Tables 3 and 4). The balanced granular fertilizer treatment consistently resulted in differences in trunk diameter growth per unit N applied ranging from percent over that of other fertilization methods (Table 3 and 4). Actual N rates for balanced granular fertilizer were between percent lower than that of the fertigation and granular urea treatments, suggesting such excessive applications are unwarranted, inefficient in regard to growth per unit of N applied, and may lead to excessive leaching of fertilizer N into groundwater and streams. This further emphasizes the positive benefits of minimal application of fertilizer N to young pecan trees. We will continue this study to address the possibility that high N rates applied early in the life of the orchard may affect tree precocity and the profitability of young pecan orchards within the first few years of bearing. For this study, we applied P, K and Zn through the irrigation systemas well. A solution was used for P and K, while a was used for Zn. But, as young trees grow, their roots are of course exploring the soil below, at a length twice that of the canopy width. Therefore, the roots of a young pecan tree quickly outgrow the area wet by the irrigation system. In newly established orchards, this area may remain deficient of P, K and Zn for a number of years unless dry broadcast applications are made to bring soil levels up to the desired range. With fertigation of these nutrients, the wetted zone may be sufficient but the larger area around it in which the roots are trying to explore is still low. This is especially critical for P, which plays a large role in root growth. The tree will reach a point in which it needs sufficient P, along with K, and Zn in a larger area for optimal growth and production. Broadcast applications beginning with directed applications toward the herbicide strip in young trees will help get these soil levels up to desired levels in a broad swath around the trees. As the trees grow and leaves are deposited in the middles, they redistribute and recycle these nutrients back into the orchard soil. A broadcast application of poultry litter is also a good way to elevate levels of these nutrients in the orchard. Begin building up soil levels early on young pecan trees in order to avoid problems down the road. In summary, an optimal growth rate of young pecan trees can be obtained as easily with a balanced granular fertilizer application using significantly less N compared with fertigation applications. The minimal treatment differences observed along with the fact that leaf N concentration never fell below the minimum recommended level in any treatment throughout the study, further supports the previous recommendation that firstyear pecan trees require no N fertilizer during the year of establishment. Only modest N application rates are required during the second and third growing seasons. Suppliers of quality Italian manufactured Pruning, Harvesting and Spraying Equipment at the most affordable pricing. sales@wildrush.co.za P O Box 920 George 6530 Contact : Adrian : Jan : Tim

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42 RECIPE Sticky-Bun Pumpkin Muffins 2 cups pecan halves and pieces 1/2 cup butter, melted 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar 2 tablespoons light corn syrup 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 3 cups granulated sugar 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 1 (15-oz.) can pumpkin 1 cup canola oil 4 large eggs Preheat oven to 350. Bake pecans in a single layer in a shallow pan 8 to 10 minutes or until toasted and fragrant, stirring halfway through. Stir together melted butter and next 2 ingredients. Spoon 1 rounded teaspoonful butter mixture into each cup of 2 lightly greased 12-cup muffin pans, and top each with 1 rounded tablespoonful pecans. Stir together flour and next 4 ingredients in a large bowl, and make a well in center of mixture. Whisk together pumpkin, next 2 ingredients, and 2/3 cup water; add to dry ingredients, stirring just until moistened. Spoon batter into prepared muffin pans, filling three-fourths full. Place an aluminum foil-lined jellyroll pan on lower oven rack to catch any overflow. Bake at 350F on middle oven rack for 25 to 30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Invert pan immediately to remove muffins, and arrange muffins on a wire rack. Spoon any topping remaining in muffin cups over muffins. Let cool 5 minutes. 6 40

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44 PECAN PRO NURSERY is a wholesale pecan nursery, selling to the grower for over 20 years. WE PRODUCE A WIDE VARIETY OF PECANS TO ORDER We produce the following varieties for the WESTERN REGION: Wichita, Navaho, Choctaw, Sutex and Western. For the EASTERN REGION we recommend: Ukulinga, Sutex and Barton. We at Pecan Pro Nursery are known for our well developed root systems. Multiple tap roots with lots of feeder roots ensure a high percentage survival of trees with transplant. We take orders now for collection in August. Feel free to contact the owner Heiko Meier for any advice regarding cultivar selection, orchard layout or pecans in general. PECAN PRO (PTY) LTD HEIKO W. MEIER Tel Fax Cell (Heiko) heiko@meier.co.za Address P O Box 22, Commondale 2385 Pecan trees can produce for well over hundred years. That's why it is important to start your pecan orchard with the best pecan trees available. ORDER NOW TO ENSURE THE BEST CULTIVAR SELECTION.