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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Byron, Georgia » Fruit and Tree Nut Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #242317
Title: Influence of aminoethoxyvinylglycine on pecan fruit drop and yield of pecan.

Author
item Wood, Bruce
item LOMBARDINI, L - Texas A&M University
item HEEREMA, R - New Mexico State University

Submitted to: HortScience
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/8/2009
Publication Date: 12/1/2009
Citation: Wood, B.W., Lombardini, L., Heerema, R. 2009. Influence of aminoethoxyvinylglycine on pecan fruit drop and yield of pecan. HortScience. 44:1884-1889.

Interpretive Summary: The profitability of commercial pecan orchards is often limited by excessive fruit-drop occurring during early June (i.e., June-drop). ReTain, a commercial fruit-set inducing growth regulator derived from a natural product was shown to possess efficacy for increasing fruit-set via reducing June-drop. Adaptation of ReTain to pecan offers a new horticultural tool for managing crop-load and increasing yield of commercial pecan orchards.

Technical Abstract: Insufficient fruit-set can limit profitability of specific pecan [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch] cultivars. The present study examined efficacy of ReTain® (Valent BioSciences, Libertyville, IL), a natural ethylene inhibitor, for increasing fruit-set in pecan trees grown at three distinct locations within the U.S. pecan-belt. Up to four years of field studies found that timely post-pollination ReTain® sprays [132 mg·L-1 a.i. (11.7 oz./acre)] to canopies could increase fruit-set of ‘Desirable’, and, accordingly, increase crop yield by 16-38% in trees carrying a “moderate to heavy” crop; nevertheless, was ineffective for increasing fruit-set on trees carrying a “light” crop-load. The ReTain®-associated increase in yield did not necessarily decrease yield the following crop year. Proper usage of ReTain® appears to offer commercial producers of ‘Desirable’ nutmeats a practical tool for managing crop-load via regulation of Stage-II drop (i.e., June-drop).