In a rootstock evaluation trial planted in 1993, five rootstocks, 'Carrizo' citrange, Citrus macrophylla, 'Rough Lemon', Swingle citrumelo and Citrus volkameriana were selected for evaluation using 'Limoneira 8A Lisbon' as the scion. 1994-2002 yield and packout results indicate that trees on C. macrophylla, C. volkameriana and 'Rough Lemon' are superior to those on other rootstocks in both growth and yield. C. macrophylla is outperforming C. volkameriana. For the second year in a row, 'Rough Lemon' trees performed similarly to C. macrophylla and better than C. volkameriana. 'Swingle' and 'Carrizo' are performing poorly. In two other rootstock evaluation trials, both planted in 1995, C. macrophylla and/or C. volkameriana are outperforming other trifoliate and trifoliate-hybrid rootstocks under test.

Three lemon cultivar selection trials are being conducted at the Yuma Mesa Agriculture Center in Somerton, AZ. Data from these trials suggest that 'Cavers Lisbon' and 'Limonero Fino 49' selections may be suitable alternatives for the varieties most commonly planted in Southwest Arizona today.

'Fairchild' mandarins in the Phoenix area and 'Lisbon' lemons in Yuma were girdled beginning in November 1996. November, March and May girdling of the mandarins led to the greatest yield the first year, while March and May girdling led to the greatest yield in years 2 and 3. March girdling yield increases were generally due to greater fruit numbers, while in May, yield increases were due to greater fruit numbers and fruit size. Returns per acre suggest that March and or May girdling of mandarins will lead to greater profits for the grower. Like mandarins, lemon yields were greater following November, or November and March girdling after one year of the experiment. However, yields of these trees dropped considerably the second year, and the trees appear to be in an alternate bearing cycle. No lemon girdling treatment appears to be better than the untreated trees after three years.

In 1986 a replicated study of eight varieties of pecans was planted on the Safford Agricultural Center at an elevation of 2954 feet above sea level. The objective of the study was to determine which varieties would produce best under the saline conditions found in the Safford valley. WO-3, the highest overall producer of the study, produced the best yield in 1999, with a yield over 2600 pounds per acre. This paper also contains kernel percentages and other nut characteristics found in the study during the 1999 harvest seasons and a summary of the yields since 1997.

Twelve varieties of pecans were evaluated for yield, viviparity, and nut quality. The commercially recommended varieties 'Western Schley' and 'Wichita' produced the greatest yields but also had the highest percentage of pregermination. The varieties 'Cheyenne' and 'Sioux' exhibit great potential for commercial production in the low desert of Arizona.

Kaolin (Surround) was highly effective at preventing citrus thrips populations from reaching damaging levels in Arizona lemons. Applications should be initiated before thrips become numerous. Applying the material before petal fall may offer protection of early set fruit, but may not be necessary if thrips densities are low. However, since kaolin should be applied in advance of thrips populations increase, determining the benefits of pre-petal fall applications of kaolin is difficult. Kaolin applied on a maintenance schedule offers continual suppression of thrips populations, whereas traditional standard insecticides offer temporary population knockdown. Kaolin did not interfere with photosynthesis or stomatal conductance, and may possess yield enhancement qualities.

Trisert CB replaced conventional foliar applied low-biuret urea and liquid urea ammonium nitrate in a typical N fertilization regime, a urea triazone based N source. There was no yield decrease, change in fruit size or grade with the use of the Trisert CB. There were no differences in leaf P, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Fe, Mn or Zn concentration. Occasionally, leaf N concentration of trees supplied with foliar applied Trisert CB was higher than that of the control treatment.

This experiment was initiated in March 2000 to study the feasibility of growing organic lemon in the desert southwest of Arizona. A ten-acre field planted to lemons in 1998 was selected on Superstition sand at the Yuma Mesa Agricultural Research Center. The initial soil test in top 6 inches was 5 parts per million (ppm) NO₃⁻ and 4.9-PPM NaHCO₃⁻-extractable P. Soil pH was 8.7 in the top 6 inches. Seven treatments were applied in randomized complete block design repeated three times. The treatments were control, compost and clover, compost and perfecta, compost and steam, manure and clover, manure and perfecta and manure and steam Leaf tissue analysis indicated that nitrate level was significantly influenced by treatment. Organic insect control treatments for citrus thrips were as equally effective as the non-organic commercial standards.

An attempt was made in 1997 to rejuvenate neglected, mature 'Wichita' pecan trees in a commercial Pinal County grove by applying two types of heading back pruning cuts. The treatments were applied during the dormant season prior to the growing season. The trees were pruned using proven horticultural techniques which included dehorning (cutting main scaffolds to within 2 feet of the trunk) and cutting main scaffolds by 50%. After four years of data, the trees receiving no pruning treatments are producing as well or better than trees to which the pruning treatments were applied. The data suggests that a return to normal irrigation and fertilization practices alone will return neglected, water-stressed trees to normal productivity as early as trees that have been headed-back.

This item was digitized as part of the Million Books Project led by Carnegie Mellon University and supported by grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF). Cornell University coordinated the participation of land-grant and agricultural libraries in providing historical agricultural information for the digitization project; the University of Arizona Libraries, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and the Office of Arid Lands Studies collaborated in the selection and provision of material for the digitization project.