Foliar applied zinc and the performance of pecan trees

Abstract

Pecan [Carya illinoinensis (Wang.) C. Koch.] trees were given four treatments: (i) control (no zinc application) (ii) DeltAg Zinc Plus® applied in fall, at budbreak, and after pollination (iii) DeltAg Zinc Plus applied in fall only and (iv) zinc sulfate 36.6% applied at budbreak, 3 weeks later, and after pollination. Leaf elemental concentration of zinc (Zn) increased with all zinc treatments in year one. In year two, the three applications of Zinc Plus produced the highest leaf elemental concentrations of Zn. The zinc sulfate treatment had a positive effect on nut and kernel weight in both years while the other two Zn treatments had effects that varied across years. Zinc sulfate had yields at least as good and nut quality at least as good as the other Zn treatments. Given that Zinc sulfate is the lowest-cost Zn treatment, the results reported here favor using zinc sulfate.

Keywords:

• elemental sufficiency
• pecan
• zinc

Additional information

Funding

The research was primarily supported by the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Inc. Support was also received from the A.J. and Susan Jacques Chair as well as the Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station and USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), Hatch Project number OKL02939.