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ARS Home » Plains Area » College Station, Texas » Southern Plains Agricultural Research Center » Crop Germplasm Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #166881

Title: PECAN

Author
item Grauke, Larry
item Thompson, Tommy

Submitted to: Encyclopedia of Fruits and Nuts
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/7/2004
Publication Date: 9/15/2007
Citation: Grauke, L.J., Thompson, T.E. 2007. Pecan. In: Janick, J., Paull, R.E., editors. The Encyclopedia of Fruit and Nuts. Wallingford, UK: CABI Publishing. p. 409-418.

Interpretive Summary: This is a description of the pecan that was prepared for the Encyclopedia of Fruit and Nuts. People who do not know what a pecan tree is can learn that it is an important nut-producing tree that grows naturally in the forests of North America. Most of the pecan nuts produced in the world come from the United States, but other countries also grow some. How the nuts are used and their food value is described. The nuts, leaves and trees are described to help someone identify the plant. Some of the first descriptions of pecans were made by people who called the trees by different names, and some of the important name changes are described. Information is given about where trees can be found growning naturally, and how they are grown in commercial orchards.

Technical Abstract: This entry on pecans [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch] was prepared for The Encyclopedia of Fruit and Nuts and provides information on world production of the crop, its uses and nutritional composition. A botanical description is provided, along with current taxonomic treatment, a brief nomenclatural history, and an overview of pecan's ecology and climatic requirements. Reproductive biology and fruit development is described. Standard horticultural practices are summarized, as they relate to propagation, rootstocks, pruning and training, irrigation, fertilization, and pest control. Information is provided concerning the main cultivars grown in different geographic regions of the United States.