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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Byron, Georgia » Fruit and Tree Nut Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #321461
Title: Spray Coverage, Hedging and Pecan Scab - an Update on Research

Author
item Bock, Clive
item STEVENSON, KATHERINE - University Of Georgia
item BRENNEMAN, TIM - University Of Georgia
item Hotchkiss, Michael - Mike
item SMITH, MICHAEL - University Of Oklahoma
item GOFF, WILLIAM - Auburn University
item WELLS, LENNY - University Of Georgia
item Wood, Bruce

Submitted to: Southeastern Pecan Growers Meeting Proceedings
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/13/2014
Publication Date: 2/28/2015
Citation: Bock, C.H., Stevenson, K.I., Brenneman, T.B., Hotchkiss, M.W., Smith, M.W., Goff, W., Wells, L., Wood, B.W. 2015. Spray Coverage, Hedging and Pecan Scab - an Update on Research. Southeastern Pecan Growers Meeting Proceedings. sepga.com/Presentation/WEB2015pres/Bock-SpraycoverageHedgingandPecanScab-anUpdateonReasearchV3.pdf.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Pecan scab is caused by the fungus Fusicladium effusum, and is the major disease of pecan in Georgia and elsewhere in the region, causing severe yield loss in some seasons and areas. There are several reasons for hedging, and some issues may arise as a result of the hedging management practice. Three orchards in GA were chosen to study the effect of hedging on scab severity. Control trees (either non-hedged in the previous year, or not ever previously hedged) were compared to various hedging treatments. Results demonstrated that at a given height in the canopy hedging does not increase or decrease scab severity when trees are receiving the same fungicide management program. Height influences fungicide coverage, and thus scab prevalence to a far greater degree. A beneficial effect of hedging might be to bring a much greater proportion of fruit within reach of efficacious fungicide coverage and thus overall improved yield and nutmeat quality in relation to the overall yield. Furthermore, hedging removes the portion of the tree at heights >45 ft not protected by fungicide. The upper canopy at heights >45 ft might be a source of inoculum early in the season. Moreover, the canopy at heights >45 ft develops scab which can be a source of inoculum for the lower parts of the tree. More information on spray coverage and penetration is needed to explain these findings, and possibly improve disease control.