In 1986 a replicated study of eight varieties of pecans were 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. This paper contains yield, kernel percentages and other nut characteristics found in the study during the 1997 and 1998 harvest seasons. Cheyenne and WO-3 were the highest yielding varieties in 1997 and 1998, respectively. The respective yields were 1894 and 2286 pounds per acre.

Neglected mature 'Wichita' pecan trees were rejuvenated using various pruning techniques in 1997. Trees were pruned using proven horticultural techniques which included dehorning (cutting main scaffolds to within 2 feet of trunk) and cutting main scaffolds by 50%. To date the treatments have resulted in an increase in yield when compared to trees that received no pruning. In 1999 the grower has developed an orchard management program conducive to maximum production.

Trenching and pruning applications were placed on mature Wichita pecan trees in Maricopa, Arizona in 1998. Yield and nut quality data from the test are presented. Unfortunately, the cool, favorable growing weather minimized quality degradation during the growing season and confounded the test. Data presented probably do not reflect the true benefits of the treatments.

Mature pecan trees at Picacho, Arizona were evaluated for variety performance during 1997-98. Total average yield per tree, percent kernel and percent viviparity were observed. During 1997, a severe viviparity year, only Bradley, Cheyenne, Souix and Tejas showed viviparity values of 20% or lower. Tejas did not return an acceptable percent kernel leaving Bradley, Cheyenne and Souix as potential varieties able to withstand low desert growing conditions on a regular basis. In 1998, the cool growing season confounded the test and no conclusions were drawn from the data.

Leaf samples were collected from five trees each of Bradley, Cheyenne, Sioux, Western Schley, and Wichita at Picacho, Arizona and five trees each of Bradley, Western Schley, and Wichita at Las Cruces, New Mexico, and analyzed nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, iron, copper, manganese, boron, and copper at two-week intervals from mid-May to Mid-October, 2000. Yield, average nut weight, and percent kernel data were collected for each individual tree. Leaf tissue analysis indicated that concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulfur decreased. The overall trends were for zinc levels to declined, although they increased at the end of the season. Boron, calcium, magnesium and manganese, and iron concentrations increased during the growing season. Copper concentrations were variable. Preliminary nutrient standards are presented and compared to existing standards. Most nutrients were within recommended ranges, but magnesium levels were much higher than the top of the Arizona and New Mexico sufficiency ranges. Manganese was higher than the Arizona sufficiency range, but within that of New Mexico, whereas zinc was higher than the New Mexico range, but within that of Arizona.

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.

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.

Master of Science / Food Science Institute / Kadri Koppel / The pecan, [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh) K. Koch], has a long history of cultivation and economic value. Knowledge of the compositional differences that exist between cultivars is important to the marketing of pecan varieties. The objectives of this study were to A) profile flavors for various pecans, B) determine flavor differences attributed to preparation method, C) find characteristics of acceptable pecan flavor, and D) evaluate sources of pecan flavor variation through chemical profiling. The flavor profiles of eight pecan cultivars ('Chetopa,' 'Giles,' 'Kanza,' 'Lakota,' 'Major,' 'Maramec,' 'Pawnee,' and 'Witte') were evaluated using descriptive sensory analysis under raw, roasted, and candied preparation methods. A trained panel evaluated samples for 21 flavor attributes. Five of these attributes differed significantly (p ≤ 0.05) between cultivars, while the preparation method significantly affected 17 attributes. Unique profiles were exhibited for each sample, with the 'Pawnee' and 'Lakota' samples displaying outlying characteristics for certain attributes. These results were used to select cultivars with varied but desirable pecan flavor. 102 nut consumers evaluated 'Kanza,' 'Maramec,' 'Pawnee,' and 'Witte' pecans under raw and roasted conditions for liking and flavor intensity. All samples were met with generally positive consumer acceptance, but three consumer segments were formed based on Overall Flavor Liking scores. Segment 1 was driven by cultivar differences, segment 2 by preparation method, and segment 3 by a combination of these factors. The largest drivers of consumer liking related to the roasting process. Chemical differences between cultivars under raw and roasted preparation methods were explored through fatty acid profiling (8 cultivars) and volatile olfactory compound profiles ('Kanza,' 'Maramec,' 'Pawnee,' and 'Witte'). Fatty acid profile variation could generally be attributed to cultivar differences, not changing much with the roasting process. Linoleic, palmitic, and stearic acids were correlated with more roasted-type attributes while linolenic acid was associated with dry, unfavorable attributes. 51 compounds with olfactory contribution were tentatively identified, 33 of which were found in all samples. Chemical profiles were unique to each sample, but some trends were apparent. The roasted 'Pawnee' sample, having many desirable flavor attributes, being met with great consumer acceptance, and having a composition that is associated with preferential attributes, may serve as a good standard for flavor.

The pecan nut casebearer, Acrobasis nuxvorella Neunzig (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is the most damaging insect pest of pecan, Carya illinoinensis (Wang) K. Koch (Fagales: Juglandaceae). Two sex pheromones have been identified for this species and are currently being used to assist pecan growers in the timing of insecticide applications. The discovery that there are two pheromone types produced by A. nuxvorella has led to complications in the implementation of pheromone monitoring programs. One pheromone (referred to as standard) is attractive to moths in the southern US, but not in Mexico. The other pheromone (referred to as Mexican) is attractive to moths in the southern US and in Mexico. Because most male lepidopterans respond only to a specific pheromone, it was suspected that there were two pheromone strains of A. nuxvorella, one exclusively present in the northern distribution of A. nuxvorella (US strain) and the other widely distributed from Sonora, Chihuahua, and Durango in Northern Mexico to Texas, Georgia, and Oklahoma in the US (Mexican strain). In order to confirm the existence of the two alleged pheromone strains, AFLP markers were obtained and analyzed, male response to pheromones was observed and phenological differences were assessed. Additionally, the relative abundance of each of the two pherotypes was evaluated and the population structure of this pest across its geographic distribution was determined. Results of genetic analysis show that the genetic differentiation between these insects is not explained by pheromone type. This information is further supported by a pheromone assay in which a large proportion of US collected A. nuxvorella males and Mexican collected A. nuxvorella males chose both pheromones when tested multiple times. Furthermore, no phenological differences were detected between the two pherotypes in the US, although significantly more male A. nuxvorella in the US are attracted to field-deployed pheromone traps baited with the standard pheromone than the Mexican pheromone. Finally, population genetic analyses indicate a high degree of genetic structure in A. nuxvorella across its geographic distribution, with the genetically distinct populations occurring in areas where A. nuxvorella is not native, but has been introduced.