The phenolic acids and proanthocyanidins (PACs) of pecans possess bioactive properties, which might be useful in retarding the onset of and ameliorating the status of certain chronic disease states. There is a general lack of information in the literature regarding such compounds, especially the PACs. Crude phenolic extracts pooled from eight commercially significant cultivars were selected based on their relatively high antioxidant capacities. The pooled extracts were separated via Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography into five ethanolic low-molecular-weight (LMW) fractions and one acetonic high-molecular-weight (HMW) fraction. The preparations were then characterized using RP-HPLC-ESI-MS/MS and diol-phase HPLC-ESI-MS/MS in order to determine the key constituents present in the LMW and HMW fractions, respectively. As previously observed in pecan nutmeat, ellagic acid and (+)-catechin were found to be the major phenolics in the LMW fractions. The last eluting LMW fraction did not contain phenolic acids; rather it possessed PAC monomers and dimers. The HMW fraction comprised a majority of its PACs as dimers; yet, monomers, trimers, tetramers, pentamers, and hexamers were also separated and characterized.

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This survey addresses the current nutritional status of orchards typical of a large portion of the United States pecan (Carya illinoinensis) industry. A leaf nutrition and soil fertility survey was conducted for commercial orchards in a major production area of the U.S. pecan belt, which is located in southern Georgia. The study sampled pecan orchards from 18 July to 5 Aug. 2005 and 17 July to 3 Aug. 2008. All orchards had a history of commercial level orchard management, and represented a wide range of orchards typical of the region. Results indicate that southeastern U.S. pecan producers should focus their nutrient inputs on nitrogen (N), potassium (K), sulfur (S), and copper (Cu) as needed. The survey results show that leaf N can vary widely by season and among orchard locations. Evidence indicates that many growers could likely forego the soil application of phosphorous (P) and zinc (Zn) until leaf or soil analysis indicates a need. Orchard soil organic matter (SOM) in 2008 averaged 3.63%, and ranged from 1.74% on coarse-textured sandy soils to 5% on sandy loam soils. Both SOM and soil nitrate-N were higher in orchards using clover (Trifolium spp.) as a cool-season orchard groundcover than those using a grass sod only. The mean carbon:S ratio of Georgia pecan orchard soils was 504:1, which may further reduce tree uptake of S from low-S soils.

A large number of agronomic and horticultural crops are susceptible to injury and yield loss from drift-level exposures to synthetic auxin herbicides. A new generation of genetically modified crops including cotton (Gossypium hirsutum), field corn (Zea mays), soybean (Glycine max), and canola (Brassica napus) with resistance to dicamba and 2,4-D herbicides has been developed to address the problem of glyphosate-resistant weeds. In the few years since their commercial introduction, these technologies have been rapidly adopted. The objective of this study was to determine the potential effects of simulated, single drift events of 2,4-D and dicamba on pecan (Carya illinoinensis) trees. 2,4-D amine [3.8 lb/gal acid equivalent (a.e.)] or dicamba-Diglycolamine salt (4.0 lb/gal a.e.) were applied in 1.0%, 0.1%, and 0.01% by volume spray solutions to pecan trees in June 2013. In 2016 and 2017, 2,4-D choline (3.8 lb/gal a.e.) or dicamba-N,N-Bis-(3-aminopropyl) methylamine (5.0 lb/gal a.e.) were applied in 1.0%, 0.1%, and 0.01% by volume spray solutions to pecan trees in May. These results suggest that serious injury can occur to pecan trees receiving a drift application of 1.0% by volume dicamba or 2,4-D. This injury includes deformed foliage, dead foliage, dead limbs, and/or branches, and arrested nut development. There were no major differences in the response of pecan to either dicamba or 2,4-D at similar rates in this study. Pecan damage resulting from off-target movement of 2,4-D and dicamba at rates ≥1% by volume has the potential to cause significant injury. Yield was not negatively affected by any of the treatments, suggesting that pecan trees can compensate for the observed injury to some extent. The effect of treatments on percent kernel was variable.

Previous studies with a variety of tree species have demonstrated enhanced flowering, fruit set, and yield with foliar boron (B) applications. The effects of foliar-applied B on pecan [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch] in the southeastern United States are poorly understood. This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of foliar B application on leaf tissue B concentration, fruit retention, and kernel quality of pecan. Controlled pollination studies showed no effect of B on fruit retention of ‘Stuart’ pecan. Tissue B concentration, fruit retention, and percent kernel of ‘Desirable’ pecan were occasionally enhanced by both two and five B applications made before and through the pollination window in multiple studies over 3 years. As long as leaf B is within the recommended sufficiency range, timing of foliar B application during the critical prepollination period appears to be more valuable for pecan production than are increasing leaf B levels. Given the production enhancements observed here, and the low cost of B fertilizers, the practice of foliar B application merits consideration as a component of pecan orchard management when tank-mixed with normal prepollination pesticide or nutrient sprays.