ARS | Publication request: PECAN NUT DISEASES: WHEN, WHERE AND HOW

Submitted to: Pecan Grower
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: April 22, 2003
Publication Date: May 15, 2003
Citation: Reilly, C.C., Wood, B.W. 2003. Pecan nut diseases: when, where and how. Pecan Grower. 14(3):8-9.

Interpretive Summary: Pecan growers of Georgia are informed of specific fungal diseases that can affect the nut crop late in the season. Each disease can be production limiting and the disease cycle of each disease in very different, thus control measures to reduce disease loss must be tailored to the specific disease. Pecan scab requires fungicide applications in June through shell hardening (mid August), pecan anthracnose must be controlled from bud break through late June, and Phytophthora shuck and kernel rot appears in September through harvest. Being well informed of the disease cycles, orchard managers may reduce pesticide usage and increase profit.

Technical Abstract: The late season diseases of pecan fruit are all caused by fungi; pecan scab, Cladosporium caryigenum; pecan anthracnose (called "Glomerella" by some growers), Glomerella cingulata; and Phytophthora shuck and kernel rot, Phytophthora cactorum. Disease cycles are described and methods for disease control are outlined.