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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Byron, Georgia » Fruit and Tree Nut Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #395216
Research Project: Healthy, Sustainable Pecan Nut Production

Location: Fruit and Tree Nut Research

Title: Some results from comparing different tractor speeds and application volumes on control of scab at different heights in tall pecan trees

Author
item Bock, Clive
item WELLS, LENNY - University Of Georgia
item Hotchkiss, Michael - Mike

Submitted to: Pecan Grower
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/26/2022
Publication Date: 8/1/2022
Citation: Bock, C.H., Wells, L., Hotchkiss, M.W. 2022. Some results from comparing different tractor speeds and application volumes on control of scab at different heights in tall pecan trees. Pecan Grower. Vol 34:18-37.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Scab (caused by Venturia effusa) is the most important yield-limiting disease of pecan in the southeastern USA. On susceptible cultivars, the disease is managed using fungicides, but spray coverage is an issue in tall trees. Results of six experiments are presented comparing scab severity on fruit at 5 to 15.0 m height in tall pecan trees receiving the same dose of fungicide at 468, 935 and 1871 L/ha at 2.4 and 3.2 km/h (in two additional experiments with fungicides applied at 4.0 km/h @ 470 L/Ha, 4.0 km/h @ 940 L/Ha and 4.0 km/h @ 1120 L/Ha). All treatments reduced scab compared to the control. Overall, there was no consistent difference among the treatments for severity of scab on foliage, immature fruit, or mature fruit at any height in the canopy up to 15.0 m. Estimated cost and water savings based on faster speed and lower volume were considerable. These preliminary observations indicate no single volume or speed was consistently superior to control scab. Low volumes (high concentration of active ingredients) may be similarly efficacious as high volumes (low concentration of active ingredients) for controlling scab in tall pecan trees, and offer greater resource use efficiency.