Studies Archives - Pecan South MagazinePecan South magazine | The pecan industry's leading publication, published monthly for pecan producers, processors and all others involved or interested in the pecan industry.

Graph showing U.S. pecan exports for 2018 on the global market.

by Landyn Young and Luis A. Ribera Studies

Importance and Issues of Pecans in the Global Market

During 2022, the United States exported 14.0 thousand metric tons (TMT) of inshell pecans and 23.6 thousand metric tons (TMT) of shelled pecans (Figure 1). These exports totaled over $308 million worth of value for the industry, with $63.5 million coming from inshell exports and the other $244.6 million coming from shelled exports. Total inshell...

by Pecan South Staff Studies

Texas A&M Researchers Announce Winners from Marketing Label Study

Earlier this year, a team of researchers at Texas A&M University’s Department of Agriculture and Life Sciences invited pecan industry members to participate in a study about consumer decision-making and consumer preferences for pecans. This research arose out of the belief that understanding an expert’s ability to accurately forecast the effectiveness of marketing efforts to...

by Xinwang Wang and Xiaofen Du Studies

Store Your Pecan Wisely

Pecan harvest is here, and as always, customers consider the best way to store the nuts they purchase. Renowned for their nutty, buttery flavor, a variety of essential vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, and antioxidants, pecans offer unique nutrient benefits for human health. A study published in Nutrients in 2018 (Cupisti et al. 2018) showed that...

Three photos of a pruned pecan tree recovering after an ice storm.

by Lu Zhang and Niranjan Pokhrel Studies

Pruning Management in Ice-Storm Damaged Pecan Trees

Ice storm damage is one of the major factors limiting pecan production in Oklahoma. Throughout history, ice storms have struck Oklahoma several times and caused the loss of millions of dollars (Smith & Rhola, 2009). The latest severe ice storm in October 2020 damaged many pecan orchards in central Oklahoma; the severity of the damage...

Dr. Zhang and her team at OSU are working to create Object Detection methods to develop nut thinning recommendations. This chart shows the process: ground photos, then train, validate and test models using photos, and then develop OD models.

by Lu Zhang, Yuting Zhou, and Shengfang Ma Studies

Addressing Alternate Bearing Using AI Technology for Enhanced Pecan Nut Thinning

The phenomenon of alternate bearing in pecan trees is characterized by an irregular fruiting pattern, wherein a substantial crop is followed by one or more years of minimal to no production, as Sparks (2005) noted. Compared to other seed tree crops, alternate bearing is more obvious in pecan trees which are within only a few...

Pecan scab on leaves. (Photo by Dr. Young-Ki Jo)

by Young-Ki Jo and Paul Goetze Studies

Proper Pecan Scab Program Critical for Preventing Fungicide Resistance

Pecan scab is a chronic fungal disease known as the most economically significant threat to pecan production in the southeastern United States and a cause for concern among pecan growers. Characterized by dark-grey or blackened lesions on leaves and shucks, pecan scab negatively impacts nutrient transport into nuts, leading to malformations and even fruit abortion....

by Lu Zhang, Tingying Xu, and Wei Ren Studies

Truffle Fungi Promote Pecan Seedling Growth

This is a continuing report of the truffle fruiting bodies found in Oklahoma that we introduced previously in Pecan South’s February 2023 issue (Preliminary Study of Pecan Truffles Found in Oklahoma). In July 2022, Leva Swim, an Oklahoma State University senior student, found some fungal fruiting bodies in the pecan roots in her backyard. As...

A woman holds a handful of golden brown pecan kernels.

by Xinwang Wang and Xiaofen Du Studies

Results from Consumer Survey on Pecan Kernel Taste

The pecan tree (Carya illinoinensis) is native to North America and has been an important food source for indigenous people for thousands of years. In 1919, Texas declared the pecan tree its official state tree because of its relationship to the state’s history and culture. The domestication of pecans started in the 1800s, with the...

by Dr. Eddie Kyle Slusher and Dr. David Shapiro-Ilan Studies

Use of Entomopathogenic Nematodes as a Management Tactic for Weevil Pests in Pecan

Scientists have described over 50,000 species of true weevil, making them one of the most diverse and successful groups of insects on the planet. Almost any terrestrial or freshwater plant can have one or more weevils associated with it. In addition, no part of the plant— roots, flower, buds, leaves—is exempt from attack by weevils...

Two rows of mature pecan trees at the Texas A&M Orchard in College Station, Texas.

by Pecan South Staff Studies

Invitation to participate in a study about consumer preferences for pecans

A team of researchers at Texas A&M University’s Department of Agriculture and Life Sciences is conducting a study about consumer decision-making and consumer preferences for pecans. The team is also looking for insight from pecan industry members. All U.S. pecan industry members are invited to participate in this study. If you agree to take part...

by Gustavo Sebastián Cambareri Studies

How Pecans May Help Lead to Net Zero Carbon

`Since ancient times, farmers have viewed the soil as a source of wealth to preserve and as an indicator of environmental health. For example, the Roman writer and politician Marcus Porcius Priscus (234-149 BCE), better known as Cato, noted in his famous essay “De Agri Cultura” many usual agricultural practices carried on vineyards and olive...

by David Shapiro-Ilan, Clive Bock, Ted Cottrell, and Cristina Pisani Studies

USDA SEFTNRS Reflects on 50 years, Looks to Future

The USDA-ARS, Southeastern Fruit and Tree Nut Research Station (SEFTNRS) in Byron, Georgia, was established over half a century ago on May 18, 1970. In this article, we present some of the many key accomplishments from the past 50 years and also a snapshot of current and future research. The SEFTNRS can point to many...

Five photos of a fungal fruitbody that looks somewhat like a pecan truffle—roundish and dark brown.

by Lu Zhang, Tingying Xu, Wei Ren, and Leva Swim Studies

Preliminary Study of Pecan Truffles Found in Oklahoma

Pecan has been reported to form a symbiosis with ectomycorrhizal fungi, like truffles (Hanlin et al., 1989, Trappe et al., 1996, Benucci et al., 2012). Since Tuber lyonii ectomycorrhiza is commonly found in pecan orchards, it’s referred to as pecan truffles. Though there are many truffles native to the United States, the pecan truffle is...

Four photos showing the progression of pecan tree canopy recovery after a spring ice storm. Canopy regrowth directly impacts the roots.

by Lu Zhang and Lu Zhai Studies

Discovering Pecan Roots Through Ground-Penetrating Radar

In the article “Pecan Tree Management After Storm Damage,” published with Pecan South in this year’s June issue, we discussed a long-term study to evaluate the management of epicormic shoot regrowth and nitrogen justification of trees’ partially lost canopy in an ice storm. At that time, we focused on canopy management and rarely thought about...

A wooden bowl filled with all sorts of tree nuts, including pecans, almonds, pistachios, macadamias, and cashews.

by International Nut & Dried Fruit Council Studies

Nut Consumption Improves Cognitive Function and Modulates Gut Bacteria, New Study Suggests

Nov. 10, 2022—A recent INC-funded study published in the Journal of Nutrition showed that after four weeks of consumption of nuts in a healthy non-elderly sample, there are positive effects on cognitive function as well as modulation of microbial taxa associated with gut health. The goal of this clinical study was to examine the effects of...

by The American Pecan Council Studies

The Need for Nutrition Research: Reframing Consumers’ Perception of Pecans

The American Pecan Council is a federal marketing order established in November 2016 with oversight by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The purpose of the order is to assist the American pecan industry in the promotion, research, standardization, and consumer information of U.S. pecans. The order provides the pecan industry a means to develop...

The equipment used in the UGA shelling study

by Dr. Beshoy Morkos Studies

UGA Researchers Seek to Crack Shelling Challenge

Researchers at the University of Georgia College of Engineering are trying to crack a tough problem: extracting more high-quality kernels from shelled pecans. The team aims to identify the factors and variables controlling kernel extraction and provide solutions for increasing half yields. In the short term, the researchers will look for specific ways to improve...

An up-close view of nematodes emerging from an infected wax moth larva. The wax moth larva is orange, thick, and rounded like a worm. It is split in the half and that's where the nematodes are emerging from in a petri dish. The nematodes are white half-moon slivers.

by David Shapiro-Ilan Studies

Considerations for applying beneficial nematodes for pest control

Summary Beneficial nematodes (entomopathogenic nematodes) are effective in killing the ground-dwelling stages of pecan weevil. The use of beneficial nematodes is compatible with organic pest control approaches. Like many biocontrol agents, some special considerations for applying beneficial nematodes are necessary, such as appropriate temperatures, soil moisture, and avoidance of UV light. Beneficial nematodes can be...

Three images showing how pecan trees grow after ice storm damage and during recovery.

by Drs. Lu Zhang and Niels Maness Studies

Pecan tree management after ice storm damage

A late October 2020 ice storm destroyed many pecan orchards in central Oklahoma, including an experimental orchard belonging to Oklahoma State University located in Perkins, Oklahoma. The average canopy loss in the experimental Orchards was about 50% (Fig 1. a, b). Ice damage is typically more severe in pecan orchards than in other orchard crops...

Bar graph compares harvest timing to whole nut weight (g), nut meat (g) to oil yield percentage for 'Kanza' and 'Pawnee'.

by Lu Zhang, Niels Maness, Srijana Panta, and Charles Rohla Studies

How harvest timing affects nut quality

Harvest timing is integral to pecans’ sales price and a necessary concern for avoiding fall freeze or ice storms in Oklahoma. We learned a lesson last winter when an early ice storm hit central Oklahoma, causing severe limb damage before many growers harvest. This event caused both a long-term loss of production from damaged trees...

by HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology Studies

Using genomics to improve our future pecan trees

In a project funded by the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), a team of scientists, including several from the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology and USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS), created a valuable tool for future improvements in pecan breeding by sequencing the complete genomes of four varieties...

A pecan fruiting shoot with old and new growth, which provides insight into alternate bearing.

by Lu Zhang, Srijana Panta, Niels Maness, & Richard Heerema Studies

Insight into alternate bearing — do carbohydrates drive it?

The alternate bearing of pecan shows a symptom of irregular fruiting habit with one heavy crop followed by one or more years of poor production. The alternate bearing (one ‘on’ year, one ‘off’ year) trait in pecan is also sometimes referred to as “masting” (one ‘on’ year followed by two or more ‘off’ years), which...

A pecan shuck that has been cut open during water stage. Two halves of the shuck are placed near a full one. You can see the embryo that is developing in the shuck at this phase.

by Lu Zhang, Srijana Panta, Josh Massey, and Saleh Taghvaeian Studies

Irrigation Management for Pecans at Water Stage

Pecan nut growth has a special stage, water stage, which derives its name from the status of its liquid endosperm. Endosperm is the tissue providing nutrients for the growth of the kernel. Water stage occurs from the end of July through August. Trees require a large amount of water when nuts are at water stage....

A variety of tree nuts in different glass jars.

by International Nut & Dried Fruit Council Studies

Nut intake may increase cognitive performance of older adults

May 19, 2021—A team of researchers from the Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), Deakin University, Australia, has studied the impact of consuming nuts on cognitive performance among older adults in the United States. The study included 1,814 participants all above the age of 60 from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES)...

A green pecan leaf with a brown leison growing in from the leaf tip. The leaf tip is curling in and dying off from neofusicoccum caryigenum.

by Tim Brenneman, Courtney Cameron, Jason Brock, Marin Brewer, and L. J. Grauke Studies

Neofusicoccum caryigenum, a new pecan pathogen finally gets a name

A new disease was observed on pecan trees in Georgia about nine years ago. Pecan is susceptible to numerous diseases, but these symptoms were unique and had not been observed previously. They were initially found on large ‘Stuart’ trees, specifically on leaflets with one or more galls from phylloxera feeding. The disease was subsequently found...

This study uses a probe needle to measure an inshell pecan's nut firmness to see how it links to weevil damage.

by Lu Zhang, Srijana Panta, Kelly Seuhs, & Phil Mulder Studies

OSU Study Links Nut Firmness and Weevil Infection

Shell hardening is a natural defense that nut crops have to ward off insects, fungal infections, and to lock in moisture; however, this is a research topic that has drawn little attention in pecans. Previous research in pistachio demonstrates that shell-hardening fits the Gompertz non-linear model perfectly with a similar growth curve for kernel development....

A green bunch of pecan leaves with brown and shriveling edges. This leaflet shows symptoms of the emerging disease Pecan Bacterial Leaf Scorch, or Xylella fastidiosa.

by Young-Ki Jo Studies

Pecan Bacterial Leaf Scorch, Emerging & Dangerous Disease

Emerging diseases often cause serious economic damage due to a lack of knowledge about the causal pathogens and improper preparation of management strategies. A telltale example is the COVID-19 pandemic. Its global economic damage is unsurmised and our daily lifestyles have been interrupted and changed by this pandemic. New, emerging diseases can also interrupt normal...

A leaf that has turned a splotchy brown from the tip and into its middle.

by Angelyn E. Hilton and Jennifer J. Randall Studies

Improved detection of Xylella fastidiosa in pecan

Pecan bacterial leaf scorch (PBLS) is an economically important disease of pecan and is caused by the slow-growing bacterium, Xylella fastidiosa subsp. multiplex (Xfm)[1]. Xylella fastidiosa is native to North America, and there are several different subspecies of the bacteria that impacts a large plant host range. Due to the global movement of humans and...

by Drs. S. Scott Nadler, Alexander N. Chen, Hang Yang, and Kan Jin Studies

Planned Pecan Consumption in China

INTRODUCTION The last several months have seen an increase in calls from the pecan industry for actual consumer research. These calls have largely been driven by the realization that we as an industry do not have a clear understanding of what motivates consumers to purchase pecans in either domestic or foreign markets (Nadler, et al....

by Jeffery K. Tomberlin and Sydney Busch Studies

Nature’s Garbage Disposal Transforms Pecan Waste

The black soldier fly has been recognized globally for its ability to recycle organic waste and convert it to insect biomass and fertilizer. Most people in the southern United States may have seen this species in the adult or larval form in association with their compost pile or other organic waste. Adult black soldier flies...

by International Nut & Dried Fruit Council Studies

New Study Suggests Australians Should Increase Their Nut Consumption

March 11, 2020. A recent study, published in the journal Public Health Nutrition1, revealed that 40 percent of Australians were found to be “nut consumers,” but just 2 percent ate the recommended 30 grams of nuts a day (about a handful); the other 60 percent did not report eating any nuts. This study, carried out...

Three stacked photos exhibit how Zhang's team measure the shuck, shell, and embryo of each cultivar.

by Lu Zhang, Charles Rohla, Niels Maness, Becky Cheary, Lucas Fideles Costa, and Yiannis Ampatzidis Studies

Know Your Nuts – From Flowering to Fruiting

Scheduling irrigation, pesticide sprays, and preparing the orchard floor for harvest are all tied to how pecans develop into mature nuts, and how they grow in any given year. Our current language about pecan growth highlights some key growth points. One such example is the water stage—the best time for fruit thinning to better regulate...

Variety of tree nuts organized into the shape of a brain.

by International Nut & Dried Fruit Council Studies

Higher Nut Consumption May Help Prevent Cognitive Decline in the Elderly

November 2019. A recent INC-funded study, published in Molecular Nutrition & Food Research1, showed that a high intake of nuts may help protect the elderly from cognitive decline. A team of researchers examined whether a diet high in nuts might help protect against age-related cognitive decline over a three-year period. A total of 119 participants...

by L.J. Grauke Studies

Family Trees: The Next Generation

The USDA-ARS Pecan Breeding & Genetics Program is at a transition point. In the past three Pecan South articles, we looked at the collection of living inventories that has grown from a “breeder’s collection” to represent global Carya populations, forming the National Collection of Genetic Resources for Pecans and Hickories (NCGR-Carya). Using that collection, cooperative...

Table 1 provides an overview of the level of importance that consumers in China place on various information sources.

by Drs. S. Scott Nadler, Alex Chen, & Hang Yang Studies

A Preliminary Study of Pecan Consumption Patterns in China: Part 2

In this month’s edition of Pecan South, we provide readers with the second part of the preliminary results from our ongoing data collection efforts in China. Before moving forward, we once again remind readers that these are preliminary results and subject to change, but we do not expect any potential changes to be statistically significant....

by USDA Studies

Pheromones Give Nematodes a Boost in Controlling Pests

BYRON, GEORGIA, July 25, 2019—Beneficial nematodes are used as biological control agents to fight a variety of insect pests that severely damage crops. However, in many cases the nematodes don’t measure up to other control methods such as certain chemical pesticides. A recent Agricultural Research Service (ARS) study, published in The Journal of Invertebrate Pathology, shows...

by Drs. S. Scott Nadler, Alex Chen, & Hang Yang Studies

A Preliminary Study of Pecan Consumption Patterns in China

In the last three years, the U.S. pecan industry has been severely impacted by severe weather, floods and—to a lesser degree—the ongoing trade dispute with China. As a result, some readers may wonder why we should be interested in pecan consumption patterns in China, while they are struggling to rebuild their orchards and the industry...

A heart-shaped bowl filled with a variety of tree nuts next to a doctor's coat and a stethoscope.

by International Nut & Dried Fruit Council Studies

New Study Reveals an Inverse Association between Nut Consumption and Cardiovascular Diseases

July 2019. According to the World Health Organization, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide, affecting approximately 17.9 million people in 2016.1 A healthy diet is one component of the type of lifestyle that should be promoted to deal with this global health concern. Several healthy dietary patterns, such as the Mediterranean...

by Stephen L. Webb, Kelly Boyer, and Charles Rohla Studies

Wild Pigs: Another Problem for Pecan Producers

Not that producers need any more problems, but there is a major problem that can affect all types of operations. And, worst of all, it has four legs, bad habits and high intelligence. This creature is none other than the wild pig. For those who attended the 2018 Texoma Cattlemen’s Conference, I referred to wild...

by Achyut Adhikari, Karuna Kharel, & Cameron Cason Studies

Examining a Kill Step for Inshell Pecans

Pecans are one of the most desired tree nuts in the United States. The demand for the nut and its production has been increasing every year. In comparison to 2016, pecan production in the U.S. increased by 8.5 percent in 2017, which resulted in approximately 300 million pounds of pecans. In the past few years,...

Table F-13, the above table, shows the revenue data used in this study.

by S. Scott Nadler Studies

It’s Time to Get Your Costs Under Control

It’s no secret that pecan growers have benefited from higher than normal prices for the last several years. As a result, many growers have increased their pecan acreage and replaced less productive trees and varieties with more productive ones. Unfortunately, the laws of supply and demand dictate that the natural outcome of high prices is...

Two inshell pecans hang off of a thin branch, ready for harvest. Their shucks have dried out and turned brown.

by Pecan South Staff Studies

Q&A with Lead Researcher on Recent Pecan Nutrition Study Tufts University

Conducted by researchers at Tufts University, a new pecan study was recently published in Nutrients, an open access peer-reviewed scientific journal. This study, titled “A Pecan-Rich Diet Improves Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Overweight and Obese Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial,” examined the link between eating pecans and risk for cardiometabolic diseases in adults who were...

by International Nut & Dried Fruit Council Studies

New Study Links Nut Consumption & Reduced Weight Gain

A recent study published in the European Journal of Nutrition investigated the association between nut intake and changes in body weight after five years of follow-up. Researchers also estimated the risks associated with overweight or obesity after higher nut consumption. Nuts are energy-dense foods; they can provide 160-200 kcal per serving (30g a handful), so...

by Various Studies

Advancing DNA Fingerprint System in Pecan

ARDMORE, Okla. — Six national institutions have become the first multistate and multidisciplinary study to receive funding specifically to work on pecans. Researchers at The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, New Mexico State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service (USDA ARS), University of Georgia, University of Arizona and the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, recently...

by Various Studies

Update on International Tree Nut Council Health Research

The pecan industry contributes at least $50,000 annually to the International Tree Nut Council’s Nutrition Research and Education Foundation. These funds are provided by the National Pecan Shellers Association, Georgia Pecan Growers Association, Texas Pecan Growers Association and Western Pecan Growers Association, and have been for a number of years. The mission of INC NREF...

by Gary A. Mount Studies

Circle traps a useful tool in pecan weevil management

The objective of this study was to determine the average percentage of ground-emerging adult pecan weevils caught in Circle traps placed on trunks. This knowledge is essential for estimating numbers of weevils infesting pecan trees prior to management decisions (Mount, 2014). Previous research by Raney and Eikenbary (1968), Mulder et al. (2003), and Cottrell and...

by Bill Ree Studies

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by Various Studies

New study shows nut consumers have better diet quality

A new study, published in mid-January in the open access journal Nutrients, compares the nutrient adequacy and diet quality of those who consume tree nuts (almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamias, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios and walnuts), and non-tree nut consumers in a nationally representative population. Tree nut consumption was associated with better nutrient adequacy...

by Gary A. Mount Studies

Weevil management strategy important in native pecans

Growers of native pecans are well aware of the need to manage the pecan weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) for prevention of unacceptable infestations of weevil larvae in harvested nuts. Previously, I reported on the dynamics of pecan weevil populations in the Mount orchard of 300 acres of non-irrigated river-bottom populated with about 3,000 native pecan trees...

by Jim Dutcher, Bill Ree, Scott Carlson and Basil Bactawar Studies

Prionus root borers in pecan orchards

One recent research project that has peaked the interest of pecan entomologists, horticulturalists and growers alike is the development of improved methods for monitoring and control of tilehorned prionus and broadnecked root borer – 2 insect pests that contribute to the decline and loss of production of pecan trees and are difficult to control. The...

by Various Studies

Consumption of tree nuts inversely associated with risk of pancreatic cancer in women

In a large prospective study published online in the British Journal of Cancer, researchers looked at the association between nut consumption and risk of pancreatic cancer among 75,680 women in the Nurses’ Health Study, with no previous history of cancer. Consumption of nuts, including tree nuts (such as almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamias, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios and...

by John G. Mexal and Esteban Herrera Studies

Contributing to a healthy environment

The western region irrigated pecan industry (Arizona, New Mexico and West Texas in the U.S. and Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Nuevo Leon and Sonora in Mexico) has grown tremendously since pecans were first introduced in early 1900s. Mexico has over 96,000 hectares with an annual production valued at over $500 million (SAGARPA 2011). There are an...

Fig. 1. The orchard used for the study. The location of the Bird Gard is noted in the west fi eld.

by Michael W. Smith and Carole A. Smith Studies

Mitigating pecan depredation losses

Pecan nut loss caused by wildlife depredation results in major economic losses. In small orchards depredation may result in total crop loss. Several avian species feed on pecan nuts; the more problematic species include the American crow and blue jay (Aldous, 1944; Bannon, 1921; Hall, 1979; Leppla, 1980; Martin et al., 1951; Murray, 1975; Wilson,...

by Tommy E. Thompson and Sara E. Duke Studies

Pecan graft livability not affected by early stock limb removal

Abstract. Inlay bark grafting is a major technique used to establish pecan orchards and propagate improved cultivars on established trees of inferior cultivars. The standard technique is to remove stock limbs immediately before grafting. It would be a major advantage if growers could get this labor intensive process accomplished earlier, since grafting season is short...

Figure 1. A whole truffle found in a Texas pecan orchard (a), above. Washing and cleaning the truffles reaveals an orange-brown color of the outer ‘skin’ (b), right Cross section through a pecan truffle shows the marbled pattern of cream and light brown internal tissue (c), bottom left.

by Jyotsna Sharma, Brent Trela, Shi Wang, Matthew Smith and Gregory Bonito Studies

Pecan Truffle Research Underway in Texas

The word ‘truffle’ often evokes an image of elegant culinary items including the expensive garnish or flavoring of fine European cuisine. Although the aromatic, edible fungal fruiting structures that are known as truffles are more often associated with European countries, North America has several species that naturally grow in forests across the continent. One such...

by Pecan South Staff Studies

INC reports plans for upcoming tree nut projects

For a number of years, the pecan industry has been contributing $50,000 per year to the International Tree Nut Council Nutrition Research and Education Foundation (INC NREF). The pecan industry’s funds have come from the National Pecan Shellers Association, the Texas Pecan Growers Association, Western Pecan Growers Association and the Georgia Pecan Commodity Commission. Other...

by Michael W. Smith Studies

Kernel Necrosis of ‘Pawnee’ Pecan

Kernel necrosis is a malady characterized by necrotic tissue at the basal end (stem end) of the kernel (Fig. 1) (Smith et al., 2007). It was first reported in an orchard near Charlie, Texas, and has since been identified in several orchards with ‘Pawnee’ trees located in the Red River Basin located along the Oklahoma...

by Pecan South Staff Studies

Study evaluates Bird Gard system for controlling birds

For pecan growers Danny Tingle and Jarred Allred, the sounds of birds squawking in their trees means more money in their pockets, more of their nuts are making it to processing, and less are ending up as expensive bird feed. This past harvest, the 2 growers from southeastern Arizona took part in a research trial...

by Bill Ree and Mark Muegge Studies

Pecan Aphids: Part 2 – tools for managing pesticide resistance

This is the second of a 2-part series on pecan aphids and insecticide resistance. In last month’s Pecan South, we published Part 1 of this article that focused on data from 2011 Texas laboratory and field insecticide tests that looked at possible imidacloprid resistance in Texas were presented while this month’s column will focus on resistance...

by Bill Ree and Mark Muegge Studies

Project Addressing Aphid Resistance to Imidacloprid

Results of studies recently conducted in Texas indicate that blackmargined aphids may be showing resistance to the commonly used neonicotinoid insecticide imidacloprid, which brings us to the purpose of this month’s column: IPM and Insecticide Resistance Management (IRM) of pecan aphids. Pests’ resistance to pesticides has been a major problem since pesticides have existed. Insecticide-resistant...

by Jon Krueger Studies

Survey IDs Pecan Marketing Opportunities

Consumers in the U.S. think about pecans – and use them – differently than most other nut varieties, according to a new national survey conducted by Blue Chip Marketing, a market research firm based in Chicago. Snacking is the most common eating occasion for nuts in general, according to the data. Meanwhile, consumers are more...

by Walt Thrun Studies

What is a Native Pecan Sprout Worth?

This past winter we identified several young pecan sprouts that were surrounded with briars and brush that had been previously ignored because they were not on perfectly flat ground as was the main orchard. They were close to water and beavers had already taken many other young trees in the area. The first step was...

by Larry Beauchat Studies

Inactivation of Salmonella by Hot Air and Oil Roasting

Salmonella is known to have exceptional heat resistance when it is in foods with low moisture content. For example, it requires 11 to 75 minutes at 194 degrees F (90 degrees C) to reduce the number of Salmonella in milk chocolate by 1 log CFU (colony-forming units)/g (1 log/g = 10 cells/g). This is only...

by Tommy E. Thompson and L.J. Grauke Studies

Lipan Pecan: New Trial Variety For All Growing Areas

‘Lipan’ is a new pecan [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch] variety released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS). The Lipan are a Native American Apache tribe (Hodge, 1975). During various periods of the 18th and 19th centuries they roamed from the lower Rio Grande in New Mexico and Mexico eastward through...

by Jon Krueger Studies

Survey Reveals Profile of Typical Pecan Consumer

ATLANTA – Who snacks on pecans in the U.S.? Hint: think Steel Magnolias. The profile of a typical pecan snacker is a 52-year-old, educated, affluent, married, white Southern woman, according to a leading market research firm. The National Pecan Shellers Association (NPSA) recently obtained data from GfK MRI to better understand the American pecan consumer. ...

by Michael W. Smith Studies

Industry Meets to Pinpoint Research and Extension Priorities

A common misconception among clientele is that funding for research and Extension activities is available from the university. Thirty years ago a large portion of the funding was based on “formula funds”, those funds allocated by the federal government for states to administer as needed to support agricultural and human environmental science programs. This gradually...

by Various Studies

Loma Linda University Shows Antioxidants in Pecans May Contribute to Heart Health & Disease Prevention

Loma Linda, California – A new research study from Loma Linda University (LLU) demonstrates that naturally occurring antioxidants in pecans may help contribute to heart health and disease prevention; the results are published in the January 2011 issue of The Journal of Nutrition. Pecans contain different forms of the antioxidant vitamin E — known as tocopherols, plus...

by Larry Beauchat Studies

Behavior of Salmonella on High-Moisture Pecans

All microorganisms require water and other nutrients to grow. In the absence of one or both, microbial cells will die or go into a dormant, non-reproductive state. Molds generally require less moisture to grow than do bacteria. Hence the need to reduce the moisture content of in-shell pecan kernels as well as shelled nutmeats to...

by Cindy Loggins Wise Studies

Shellers Launch Prevalence Study, Focus on Food Safety

The National Pecan Shellers Association has listened and heard over the past few years about the importance and increased emphasis on food safety. Invited speakers at several of NPSA’s recent meetings have focused on this topic. And now NPSA is making a considerable investment in determining precisely the “prevalence of Salmonella in pecans.” NPSA has...

by Michael W. Smith Studies

Phosphorus, Potassium Affect Leaf Necrosis, Fruit Quality and Return Bloom

Pecan fruit production is irregular, typified by high production one year followed by one year or more of low production (Sparks 1986). Alternate bearing is typically associated with a lack of return bloom rather than flower or fruit abortion. Certain cultural practices, such as nutrition, light and water management, fruit thinning, vegetation control and others,...

by Seichii Miyamoto Studies

Salt Leaching In Pecan Orchards Of The Southwest

Pecans, along with almonds and walnuts, are among the most salt-sensitive tree crops currently grown under irrigation. Many growers are not aware that salts are affecting tree growth, nut yields and quality, because symptoms of salt-affected trees are difficult to differentiate from water stress (Fig. 1). Diagnosis of salt problems and general approaches for minimizing...