Project Number: 6606-21220-009-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Nov 21, 2003
End Date: Oct 30, 2008

Objective:
To prevent alternate bearing, water stage fruit split, pre-harvest nut germination, and nutrient element problems limiting profitability; and to develop improved strategies for the control of pecan scab, and other diseases of foliage and fruit. New funding ($89,280) will be used to expand current CRIS project objectives. (1) Determine if the virulence of the scab fungus has changed in regards to the key cultivars being grown. (2) Determine if cultural and spray practices are contributing to increased scab inoculum levels in the upper canopy of trees, and how these practices should be changed to reduce scab related losses. (3) Assess scab susceptibility as if it interacts with rate of growth of host tissues and the secondary metabolites being produced by such tissues. (4) Assess the impact of tree nutrition on the ability of pecan to tolerate or resist damage by scab organisms. New funding $54,863 will be used to (1) develop improved strategies for control of pecan scab; and (2) develop improved strategies for the control of alternate bearing.

Approach:
Problems will be addressed via development of strategies that regulate bearing using flowering regulators, fruit thinning, hedge pruning, and nutrient management. Fruit drop, split, and germination problems will be addressed via improved nutrient management. Disease control efforts will address strategies to improve spray coverage, efficacy of pesticides, and factors that regulate resistance or susceptability. Resources ($89,280) will support ongoing research already taking place. Efforts will address the role of host plant nutritional status in relation to host resistance to scab; will access the possibility of changes in the virulence of the scab organism; will address how cultural practices are contributing to disease severity; and will investigate the role of secondary metabolites on scab. Resources ($54,863) will support ongoing research to improve nutrition management, crop land management, control of alternate bearing, minimize fruit drop, and reduce scab susceptability of trees. Efforts will address improving plant nutritional status as a means of reducing tissue sensitivity to pecan scab.