Cultural
The cultural practices utilized by the Arizona pecan industry includes different factors that take considerable attention prior to an orchard installation and establishment. There are many factors to consider. Some include pecan tree spacing, soil improvement, cover crops, weed management/orchard floor strategy, cultivars, frost management, changing climatic considerations, pruning strategies, irrigation design, orchard planting design, among others.
Here in the Southwest, we are known for using drip irrigation to get young trees established, then micro-jet irrigation well into the pecan trees mature, fruit-bearing years. Flood irrigation is becoming more and more uncommon as progressive water conservation practices at the forefront of research and irrigation technologies come to knowledge. We also take considerable time in the orchard design process. Many factors are given insight and thought in choosing the right tree to tolerate the dry and hot climate to grow the optimal desired end product. One can say that this is the legacy of Arizona Pecan Growing culture. A new cultural practice gaining popularity is analyzing your soil and improving its health 2 years prior to planting. This not only allows time to improve the organic content and manage any drainage issues, but it also allows time to discover soil pathogens in the proposed orchard plot that may prove to be problematic.
Leaf Analysis
Leaf analysis can tell you a lot about your orchards nutritional deprivation or overall condition and can also give you a better idea on what your orchard needs in the next oncoming growing season. Leaf analysis can help you to determine if your trees have a nutrient disorder, and help you to determine the effectiveness of your fertilizer program. If you feel you need help with providing your orchard with proper nutrition, feel free to contact your local University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Agent or Specialist, or Certified Crop Consultant.
Leaf Sampling Guide with Interpretation and Evaluation for Arizona Pecan Orchards
How To determine if pecan trees have enough nutrients
How to take a pecan leaf test / pecan leaf sampling
Water management in pecan orchards
Leaf sampling guide with interpretation for Arizona pecan orchards
Recommended Labs
AGRI-TREND
(soil, water, plant, fertilizer)
ALS Environmental
(soil for pollution)
Apex Environmental Laboratory
( metal & inorganic analysis on drinking water, wastewater, soils/solids, hazardous waste)
Bradshaw Mountain Environmental Lab
(water for bacteria)
Chandler Analytical
(water [including arsenic], plant, feeds)
IAS Laboratories
(soil, plant, water, manure/compost, plant tissue, fertilizer)
Legend Technical Services, Inc.
(water, indoor air)
Mohave Environmental Laboratory
(water, soil)
MotZZ Laboratory, Inc
(soil, plant, water, fertilizer, compost/mulch)
NORTEST Analytical
(water analysis – focus)
Orange Coast Analytical Inc.
(Environmental, air, soil)
Radiation Safety Engineering, Inc.
( Environmental: radionuclide testing for drinking water & environmental)
Stanworth Crop Consultants
(soil, plant analysis, fertilizer)
Test America Laboratories
(air, clean air, drinking water, waste water, industrial
hygiene, solid & hazardous waste)
Texas A & M AgriLife Extension Services
(Soil, Water, and Forage Testing (soil, water, plant)
Turner Laboratories, Inc.
( Environmental: water [including arsenic])
United Farm Service, Inc.
(water, soil, total plant nutrients, petiole samples)
Western Technologies
(soil engineering, water, air, asbestos)
NOTE:THE STATE OF ARIZONA PROHIBITS PECAN TREES, IN-SHELL PECAN NUTS, AND OTHER PECAN MATERIAL FROM ENTERING ARIZONA FROM ANY EASTERN STATES WITHOUT PROPER SANITATION PROCEDURES AND PERMITS.
PECAN CULTIVAR
There are many improved cultivars of pecan trees with varying characteristics that to some producers are strengths and to some others are weaknesses. Here in the Arizona high desert and most Southwestern pecan production we tend to plant the 'Apache', 'Burkett', 'Choctaw', 'Cheyenne', 'Mohawk', 'Sioux', 'Wichita', 'Western Schley' and 'Waco' cultivars because they have an improved genetic makeup that performs optimally in our desert conditions or has end product pecan nut characteristics the end buyer and consumer prefers. Before deciding on a cultivar you should ask yourself several questions. What is the desired nut for your end user and buyer? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the end product (i.e., kernel percentage versus shell thickness)? Is it an early ripening versus late ripening cultivar? What cultivar flowers later in the season to avoid frost? Which cultivars are more tolerant to disease or salinity stress? Does your micro-climate have enough growing days to support the length of the growing development requirements?
Planting Pecan Trees
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Pruning pecan trees going into 2nd year
Linwood Nursery
Sales Department:
California, Arizona, New Mexico
Karlene Hanf
Office Phone: 209.664.3070
Cellular Phone: 209.401.0346
Email: karlenehanf@linwoodnursery.com
Texas, Oklahoma
W. Joel Hall
Office Phone: 209.874.3044
Cellular Phone: 209.404.5777
Email: whallgtn@aol.com
Pecan Grove Farms & Nursery
484 Berdoll LN
Cedar Creek TX 78612
United States
Rubi Jaimes
Drone TECHNOLOGY
Unmanned Aerial vehicles (UAVs) are becoming a global agricultural cultural practice because of their multiple applications in the farming industry. UAVs are proving to be useful in identifying troubled crops, aerial mapping, and chemical application delivery systems.
UAV drone technology is new to the farming industry. In a short time UAVs have proven most useful in identifying trouble crops with their sensitive thermal and high-resolution imagery cameras. With the development of the Global Positioning System (GPS), it is now possible to accurately identify and mark specific specimens that require immediate attention. Today UAV imaging is being utilized to determine crop fertilization, irrigation, pest, and disease problems before it reaches a critical point.
UAV drone mapping is the most useful tool for farm management. Drone maps and images are helping farmers better utilize the resources to cut down on costs, by helping them determine where to apply fertilizers, chemicals and irrigation to where it's mostly needed.
Another way that drones are being utilized is crop dusting.
Because of the UAVs versatility and abilities in identifying troubled crops, aerial mapping, and chemical application delivery. UAVs will become a global cultural agricultural practice.
Aerobotics US INC
Sean Olivari
6060 Center Drive
Los Angeles CA 90045
United States
If you sell products that benefit Arizona pecan growers and would like to be listed on this page please let us know.
Soil Analyzing
Analyzing your soil can reveal many things and is one of the most beneficial elements available prior to an orchard installation that can ultimately protect the investment. A soil analysis will tell you the type of soil that you have (texture and structure), the salinity, surplus or lack of nutrients that can affect pecan development. Knowing about your soil type and condition can also help you to determine the types of nutrients to apply, the quantity, and what chemicals are better suited for your soil type. Another benefit of soil analysis is that you can better calculate how much water your orchard will need and the frequency of irrigation events. Resources on Soil and Leaf Analysis can be found under Nutrition and Soil.
Recommended Labs
AGRI-TREND
(soil, water, plant, fertilizer)
ALS Environmental
(soil for pollution)
Apex Environmental Laboratory
( metal & inorganic analysis on drinking water, wastewater, soils/solids, hazardous waste)
Bradshaw Mountain Environmental Lab
(water for bacteria)
Chandler Analytical
(water [including arsenic], plant, feeds)
IAS Laboratories
(soil, plant, water, manure/compost, plant tissue, fertilizer)
Legend Technical Services, Inc.
(water, indoor air)
Mohave Environmental Laboratory
(water, soil)
MotZZ Laboratory, Inc
(soil, plant, water, fertilizer, compost/mulch)
NORTEST Analytical
(water analysis – focus)
Orange Coast Analytical Inc.
(Environmental, air, soil)
Radiation Safety Engineering, Inc.
( Environmental: radionuclide testing for drinking water & environmental)
Stanworth Crop Consultants
(soil, plant analysis, fertilizer)
Test America Laboratories
(air, clean air, drinking water, waste water, industrial
hygiene, solid & hazardous waste)
Texas A & M AgriLife Extension Services
(Soil, Water, and Forage Testing (soil, water, plant)
Turner Laboratories, Inc.
( Environmental: water [including arsenic])
United Farm Service, Inc.
(water, soil, total plant nutrients, petiole samples)
Western Technologies
(soil engineering, water, air, asbestos)
Weed Management
The key to managing weeds is diversification, and in doing so you lower the risk of a weed species adapting to a specific technique, which will eventually happen if you use one control technique over time. For instance there are many cases where weeds have developed a tolerance to herbicides. When considering a long-term integrated weed management plan for a particular area, one should consider all viable weed management control techniques along with any possible tools that can help you make the job easier. Most integrated weed management plans, aim at an expensive means and the effective control of the weeds, however a good strategy also aims at lower in damaging risks to the native ecosystem. The goal of long-term integrated weed management should reduce weeds while reducing the seed stocks in the soil. A great strategy will achieve these goals without degrading the desirable qualities of the land, it will exercise good stewardship and preserve the native ecology or agricultural crops. If you need help with weed management please contact your Crop Consultant, Weed Science Specialist, or Horticulture extension officer.
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University of Arizona Extension
Joshua Sherman
Commercial Horticulture
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Resources:
Integrated Weed Management in Pecan