Abstract
The influence of various nitrogen fertilization rates on the marketable yield and nut quality of 12-year-old grafted `Desirable', `Pawnee', and `Stuart' pecans in east Texas was investigated. Pecans are alternate-bearing, and this test was conducted during a high-yielding season. Terminal shoot growth and change in trunk diameter was measured to determine tree response to nitrogen rates. A standard rate of 44 kg N/ha was applied in March, April, and May to the control trees as NH4NO3. A second treatment used 112 kg N/ha in March and the standard rates the next two applications. A third treatment used 112 kg N/ha in March and April and the standard rate in May. The fourth treatment used 112 kg N/ha in all three applications. The treatments were arranged in a randomized block design. Nut yields were generally higher with the increase in nitrogen for all cultivars with the exception of `Stuart', which showed the least change. Highest yield, terminal and trunk diameter growth, and nut quality was obtained with the 336 kg N/ha rate. Some differences in percent kernel, marketable yield and nut size were measured with the three cultivars. Our data indicates that during a high-yielding crop load on young trees, nitrogen fertilization can make a significant difference in yield.
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