Pecan Leaf Research Articles

Draft genome sequence of Neofusicoccum caryigenum associated with pecan leaf dieback.

Pecan leaf dieback caused by Neofusicoccum caryigenum is an emerging disease in southeastern United States pecan orchards. In this study, a first draft N. caryigenum genome was sequenced and assembled. Genome size was estimated as 42.5 Mbp, and genome completeness was estimated as 97.4%.

Transcriptome profile of pecan scab resistant and susceptible trees from a pecan provenance collection

Pecan scab is a devastating disease that causes damage to pecan (Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch) fruit and leaves. The disease is caused by the fungus Venturia effusa (G. Winter) and the main management practice for controlling the disease is by application of fungicides at 2-to-3-week intervals throughout the growing season. Besides disease-related yield loss, application of fungicides can result in considerable cost and increases the likelihood of fungicide resistance developing in the pathogen. Resistant cultivars are available for pecan growers; although, in several cases resistance has been overcome as the pathogen adapts to infect resistant hosts. Despite the importance of host resistance in scab management, there is little information regarding the molecular basis of genetic resistance to pecan scab.The purpose of this study was to elucidate mechanisms of natural pecan scab resistance by analyzing transcripts that are differentially expressed in pecan leaf samples from scab resistant and susceptible trees. The leaf samples were collected from trees in a provenance collection orchard that represents the natural range of pecan in the US and Mexico. Trees in the orchard have been exposed to natural scab infections since planting in 1989, and scab ratings were collected over three seasons. Based on this data, ten susceptible trees and ten resistant trees were selected for analysis. RNA-seq data was collected and analyzed for diseased and non-diseased parts of susceptible trees as well as for resistant trees. A total of 313 genes were found to be differentially expressed when comparing resistant and susceptible trees without disease. For susceptible samples showing scab symptoms, 1,454 genes were identified as differentially expressed compared to non-diseased susceptible samples. Many genes involved in pathogen recognition, defense responses, and signal transduction were up-regulated in diseased samples of susceptible trees, whereas differentially expressed genes in pecan scab resistant samples were generally down-regulated compared to non-diseased susceptible samples.Our results provide the first account of candidate genes involved in resistance/susceptibility to pecan scab under natural conditions in a pecan orchard. This information can be used to aid pecan breeding programs and development of biotechnology-based approaches for generating pecan cultivars with more durable scab resistance.

Antifungal activity of Carya illinoinensis extracts against Alternaria alternata pathogen and their cytotoxicity effects on HEK-293T cells: HPLC analysis of bioactive compounds

Derivatives of Carya illinoinensis (pecan) are used as dietary supplements and their leaf and nuts-in-shuck extracts are used in the treatment of various pathologies due to their significant composition in phenolic compounds that act as natural antifungal and anticancer agents. This study aimed to evaluate the antifungal activity of acetone extracts (AEs) from leaves (L) and nuts-in-shucks (S) of cultivars (cv.) Wichita (Wic) and Ukulinga (Uku) of South African C. illinoinensis against A. alternata pathogen. The AEs of Wic-L and Uku-L showed higher antifungal efficacy against all tested A. alternata isolates, with inhibition zones ranging from 11 to 39 mm. Acetone crude extracts of cv. Wichita and cv. Ukulinga showed efficacy against the isolates and were significantly different (p < 0.001). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed major morphological damages on the conidia from assayed cultures, which resulted in inhibition. We further evaluated the in vitro cytotoxic effects of Carya illinoinensis on human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK-293T) cell lines with methanolic extracts (MEs). HEK-293T cell lines (10 × 103 cells/well) were treated with each sample of the extracts at various concentration (1.56, 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 µg/mL) and cell viability was quantitated using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay after 48 h. The HEK-293 cell viabilities when exposed to MEs of Wic-L, Wic-S, and Uku-L were 88.2%, 75.2%, and 86.3% respectively, confirming non-toxic properties in accordance with International Organisation for Standardization (ISO) norms. However, the viability of cell culture after the treatment with MEs of Uku-S was 37% and was as toxic. We further used High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to investigate individual phenolic constituents and total phenolic content in the leaves and shucks of both cultivars. Twelve individual phenols were detected through HPLC analysis in the respective extracts. The total phenolic content was higher in the extracts of Wic-L (102.19 mg GAE/g) and Uku-L (110.13 mg GAE/g) relative to the Wic-S (62.03 mg GAE/g) and Uku-S (85.07 mg GAE/g) extracts. Finally, these findings highlighted the possibility of pecan leaf extracts as a potential natural bioactive antifungal agent against black spot disease on pecans in South Africa.

Standard Area Diagrams for Pecan Leaf Scab: Effect of Rater Experience, Location, and Leaf Size on Reliability and Accuracy of Visual Estimates.

Assessments of the severity of scab (Venturia effusa), an economically significant disease of pecan, are critical for determining pecan cultivar susceptibility, disease epidemiology, and integrated disease management approaches. We developed a standard area diagram (SAD) set to aid in assessments of pecan leaflet scab. Leaflets with scab lesions were harvested and scanned using a flatbed scanner at 600 dpi, and Fiji (ImageJ) was used to determine the actual percent disease severity. The SADs had 10 leaflets ranging in severity from 0.2 to 48.9%. Forty "small" (1.34 to 7.43 cm2) and 40 "large" (7.67 to 25.9 cm2) leaflet images were randomized for rater assessments. The images were assessed twice by 36 raters, first without and then with the SADs as a guide. Data were subjected to analysis using Lin's concordance correlation coefficient (LCC, pc) to determine the accuracy of ratings and by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) analysis to determine interrater reliability. The effects of rater experience, rater location, and leaflet size were also determined. The SADs significantly improved the agreement between raters and the actual values (LCC, pc = 0.70 and 0.84 without and with the SADs, respectively). The reliability of estimates was improved (ICC = 0.54 and 0.82 without and with the SADs, respectively). The effect of rater location on overall concordance was significant without and with the SADs based on an analysis of variance using a generalized linear model and lsmeans separation (P < 0.05). A generalized linear mixed model analysis revealed that there was a significant interaction between rater location, experience, and the use of the SADs, with some raters having greater improvement in generalized bias and concordance. Raters had a significantly better accuracy when rating "small" leaves (LCC, pc = 0.86) compared with "large" leaves (LCC, pc = 0.82) when using the SADs, highlighting the impact of psychophysics on field evaluations of plant disease severity. The proposed SADs will serve as an improved tool for performing pecan leaflet scab assessments by the pecan research community.

Effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles synthesized from Carya illinoinensis leaf extract on growth and antioxidant properties of mustard (Brassica juncea).

The sustainability of crop production is impacted by climate change and land degradation, and the advanced application of nanotechnology is of paramount importance to overcome this challenge. The development of nanomaterials based on essential nutrients like zinc could serve as a basis for nanofertilizers and nanocomposite synthesis for broader agricultural applications and quality human nutrition. Therefore, this study aimed to synthesize zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using pecan (Carya illinoinensis) leaf extract and investigate their effect on the growth, physiology, nutrient content, and antioxidant properties of mustard (Brassica juncea). The ZnO NPs were characterized by UV-Vis spectrophotometry, Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy (FTIR). Mustard plants were subjected to different concentrations of ZnONPs (0, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100 and 200 mg L-1) during the vegetative growth stage. The UV-Vis spectra of ZnO NPs revealed the absorption maxima at 362 nm and FTIR identified numerous functional groups that are responsible for capping and stabilizing ZnO NPs. DLS analysis presented monodispersed ZnO NPs of 84.5 nm size and highly negative zeta potential (-22.4 mV). Overall, the application of ZnO NPs enhanced the growth, chlorophyll content (by 53 %), relative water content (by 46 %), shoot biomass, membrane stability (by 54 %) and net photosynthesis significantly in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the supplement of the ZnO NPs augmented K, Fe, Zn and flavonoid contents as well as overcome the effect of reactive oxygen species by increasing antioxidant capacity in mustard leaves up to 97 %. In conclusion, ZnO NPs can be potentially used as a plant growth stimulant and as a novel soil amendment for enhancing crop yields. Besides, the biofortification of B. juncea plants with ZnO NPs helps to improve the nutritional quality of the crop and perhaps potentiates its pharmaceutical effects.

Zinc Variability in Pecan Orchards: Implications for Leaf Sampling and Nutrient Recommendations

Analysis of composite pecan leaf samples typically used to determine need for nutrient applications does not account for variability among trees in the sampled area. To account for this unmeasured variability, pecan orchard block nutrient standards are greater than actual single tree nutrient requirements. In 2018 and 2019, we measured variability in a pecan orchard block by evaluating nutrient status of all trees in a study area consisting of two cultivars (Wichita and Western) grafted on open-pollinated ‘Ideal’ seedlings. Foliar zinc (Zn) coefficient of variation (cv) ranged from 0.186 to 0.255 within individual cultivars and years but was as high as 0.30 when combining cultivars within a year. The ‘Western’ cultivar had higher foliar Zn concentrations than ‘Wichita’, but Zn concentrations were not consistently associated with other leaf nutrient levels, soil Zn status, or other soil properties. Using observed foliar Zn variability, we determined that it is necessary to sample 35 trees for a composite sample to achieve a relative margin of error of 10% and 95% confidence level in a pecan orchard block with more than 1000 trees. We developed field scale foliar Zn recommendations based on individual tree research that indicates a minimum acceptable leaf Zn concentration of ≈15 mg·kg–1 is needed to maintain optimal photosynthetic function in Zn chelate fertigated pecan trees. Assuming a Zn cv of 0.30 and a composite sample comprised of leaves from 35 trees, the minimum acceptable orchard block Zn level to ensure that less than 5% of trees had suboptimal levels of Zn was 27.6 mg·kg–1. An orchard block Zn level below 23.4 mg·kg–1 indicates that more than 5% of trees in the block had suboptimal foliar Zn concentrations.

Transcriptomic analysis reveals potential pathways associated with salt resistance in pecan (Carya illinoensis K. Koch)

Soil salinity is a serious abiotic stress worldwide. Pecan plants (Carya illinoensis K. Koch) have been suggested for cultivation in soils with high levels of salinity owing to their huge demand. To understand the potential molecular mechanisms in pecan in response to salt stress, RNA-sequencing technology was used to compare the transcriptomes of pecan plants treated with 0, 0.3 %, or 0.6 % NaCl solutions. The results indicated that 170,086 unigenes were obtained from pecan leaf cDNA samples. Based on the assembled de novo transcriptome, 53, 535, and 7358 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected between untreated and salt-treated leaves at 8, 24, and 48 h, respectively. Because of the large number of DEGs across different contrasts, a Gene Set Enrichment Analysis was selected to identify gene pathways associated with salt treatment. A total of 1858 DEGs were enriched in 66 gene sets, including 22 up-regulated and 47 down-regulated gene sets in the salt treatment groups, compared with those in the control groups. The up-regulated gene sets were mainly involved in the response to salicylic acid; the regulation of the jasmonic acid-mediated signalling pathway during the short-term treatment (8 h); and the cellular response to hypoxia, cellular respiration, and RNA modification during the long-term treatment (24–48 h). The down-regulated gene sets were predominately associated with photosynthesis, water transport, and the metabolic biosynthetic process under salt stress. Genes related to the Really Interesting New Gene superfamily protein and F-box domain protein in the ubiquitin-dependent degradation pathway were significantly up-regulated or down-regulated in different periods of the regulating process. Overall, these results not only enrich genomic resources but also provide insights into the molecular mechanism in pecan under salt stress.

Insecticide Efficacy Against Pecan Aphids and Pecan Leaf Scorch Mites, 2018

Insecticide Efficacy Against Pecan Aphids and Pecan Leaf Scorch Mites, 2018

Suppression of pecan and peach pathogens on different substrates using Xenorhabdus bovienii and Photorhabdus luminescens

Prior research indicated the ability of concentrated metabolites from Xenorhabdus spp. and Photorhabdus spp. to suppress a variety of peach and pecan diseases in vitro, and on detached pecan leaves or terminals. In the current study, our objectives were to (1) determine if bacterial broths (in addition to concentrated metabolites tested previously) have suppressive ability and (2) determine if metabolites or bacterial broths are active in a soil medium. In laboratory studies, two pathogens of pecan (Fusicladium effusum and Phytophthora cactorum) and one peach pathogen (Armillaria tabescens) were tested for susceptibility to Xenorhabdus bovienii (SN) and Photorhabdus luminescens (VS) bacterial broths or concentrated metabolites on three different substrates. Treatments were applied to lesions of F. effusum on terminals to ascertain any suppressive effect on sporulation, to A. tabescens in soil to determine effect on survival of mycelia, and to lesions caused by P. cactorum on pecan leaf surfaces to assess any reduction in lesion development. Acetone (the metabolite solvent), un-inoculated media (tryptic soy broth) and water were included as controls. The X. bovienii metabolite treatment was as efficacious as a commercial fungicide (fenbuconazole) in reducing sporulation of F. effusum on pecan terminals. The P. luminescens metabolite treatment also caused reduced sporulation relative to water and acetone controls but bacterial broths had no effect. In contrast, all bacterial broth and metabolite treatments suppressed lesion growth caused by P. cactorum (measured on detached leaves maintained on agar). However, in soil, only the P. luminescens metabolite treatment was suppressive to A. tabescens (this is the first report of Photorhabdus or Xenorhabdus toxicity to Armillaria spp.). This study provides a basis for further research on the use of Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus metabolites or bacterial broth for suppression of pecan and peach diseases.

Effects of Foliar Sulfur Sprays on Pecan Independent of Pecan Scab Control

Many commercial pecan [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch] producers routinely spray foliar urea and sulfur (S) in combination with their fungicide sprays, despite very little information available in the scientific literature regarding the effects of these practices on pecan production. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of foliar application of elemental S and urea, alone and in combination, on pecan leaf tissue nitrogen (N) and S concentration, pecan nut quality, leaf chlorophyll index (LCI), and pecan scab control. Foliar S sprays increased pecan nut weight over the control in 2 of 3 years of study. Pecan nut weight was unaffected by foliar urea sprays compared with the control, but nut weight was lower for foliar urea sprays compared with foliar S sprays in the first 2 years of study. Neither foliar S nor urea sprays affected pecan scab incidence or severity. Foliar S sprays failed to increase leaf S concentration throughout the study. Pecan leaf N and leaf S concentrations were lower in the foliar urea treatment than in the control and foliar S treatments during the initial year of study; however, no treatment differences were observed for urea after Year 1. Foliar S application enhanced LCI in 2011 and 2012. Leaf chlorophyll index was also increased by the combination of foliar urea and S in 2012. These results suggest that foliar S sprays may provide pecan producers with a tool with which to maximize nut size and increase the profitability of their crop.

Pecan Response to Nitrogen Fertilizer Placement

Application method and placement can improve the efficiency of applied nitrogen (N) per unit of yield, potentially minimizing N loss and increasing the profit margin for pecan producers. The following treatments were evaluated for their effect on pecan leaf N concentration, pecan yield, nut quality, agronomic N use efficiency (AEN), and alternate bearing intensity (I); 1) emitter-adjacent application of liquid urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) (28N–0P–0K) with 5% sulfur (S); 2) broadcast application of dry ammonium nitrate (34N–0P–0K); 3) broadcast-band application of dry ammonium nitrate; 4) broadcast ground-spray application of liquid UAN; and 5) untreated control (2009–12). Leaf elemental tissue analysis, pecan yield, quality, and alternate bearing intensity indicate that pecans can be effectively fertilized with N using any of the application methods used in the current study. Based on AEN, it appears that pecans can be effectively fertilized at a lower field rate of N than is currently recommended and that the volume of fertilizer applied to pecan orchards can be significantly reduced by minimizing the area in the orchard to which N fertilizer is applied and eliminating excessive applications to vegetated row middles, which apparently offer little additional benefit to pecan leaf N, pecan quality, or yield.

Evaluation of Response to Pecan Scab Pathogen Race Using a Detached Leaflet Protocol

A detached leaflet protocol was developed for the evaluation of resistance to Fusicladium effusum in a seedling pecan population segregating for resistance. Leaflets at half to full expansion were detached from seedling trees, sprayed with a conidial suspension (isolate De-Tif-3), placed in a polyethylene bag in a growth chamber, and evaluated microscopically 7 and 14 days after inoculation. The percentage germinated conidia producing subcuticular hyphae was the best determinant of susceptibility with genotypes producing more than 15% subcuticular hyphae considered susceptible. Leaflets at half expansion had higher percentages of subcuticular hyphae and gave a clearer separation between susceptible and resistant genotypes than leaflets at full expansion. An evaluation period of 14 days was preferable to 7 days to allow slower reacting genotypes to be better evaluated. The detached leaflet protocol was evaluated in contrasting environments and was found to be robust to differences in shading and leaflet wetness. Detached leaflet tests gave similar results to field inoculations but were superior in consistently detecting susceptible genotypes. This protocol will be useful in evaluating the inheritance of pecan leaf scab resistance in breeding progenies.

Pecan Leaf Elemental Sufficiency Ranges and Fertilizer Recommendations

Pecan (Carya illinoinensis) leaf elemental concentrations are the industry standard to guide fertility programs. To provide meaningful information, a standard index tissue collected at a specific development stage is required along with established elemental sufficiency ranges. We report pecan leaf elemental sufficiency ranges used in Oklahoma that were developed based on research in Oklahoma and elsewhere. In addition, fertilizer recommendations, based on various leaf elemental concentrations, are included.

Pecan Tree Productivity, Fruit Quality, and Nutrient Element Status using Clover and Poultry Litter as Alternative Nitrogen Fertilizer Sources

The recent increase in the cost of synthetic fertilizer dramatically reduces the profit margin for pecan [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch] producers. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of clover and poultry litter on the orchard soil, horticultural, and nut quality parameters of pecan in the southeastern United States. The following treatments were evaluated; 1) crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.); 2) poultry litter; 3) crimson clover + poultry litter; 4) ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3); and 5) untreated control. Application of poultry litter with or without clover often led to higher soil phosphorous (P) and potassium (K). Poultry litter application with and without clover led to higher leaf P in the final year of study. The recurring low pecan leaf K in the presence of clover without additional K application suggests that K nutrition may be especially important in orchards where clover is used. Clover and/or clover + litter occasionally led to enhanced pecan leaf concentrations of iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn). Over the course of the study, yields were more consistent from year to year in the clover, litter, and clover + litter treatments, as indicated by the low alternate bearing intensity (I) from 2008 to 2011. Leaf elemental tissue analysis, pecan yield, and quality indicate that poultry litter and clover provide adequate nitrogen (N) nutrition for pecan production.

Host-associated genetic differentiation in pecan leaf phylloxera

Host-associated differentiation (HAD) is the formation of genetically distinct host-associated populations. One of the genotypic signatures of HAD is that populations exhibit stronger differentiation by host-plant species than by geographic isolation. HAD, as a mechanism promoting ecological speciation, has been invoked to explain phytophagous insect diversity. Two traits proposed to promote HAD are endophagy and parthenogenesis. Using amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs), we tested for the presence of HAD in pecan leaf phylloxera, Phylloxera notabilis Pergande (Hemiptera: Phylloxeridae), an endophagous, gall inducing, and cyclically parthenogenetic insect on sympatric pecan and water hickory at a geographic mesoscale. This species shows strong HAD. Whereas the effect of collecting site was significant, accounting for 7.3% of molecular variation, host-plant species identity accounted for 63.5%. In addition, a choice test indicated that pecan leaf phylloxera originating from water hickory showed weak but significant preference for leaflets of the natal host, whereas pecan leaf phylloxera originating from pecan did not. This is the first such study of a species of arboreal Phylloxeridae, a poorly known insect group. This is also the first endophage and the second parthenogen shared by these two hickory species to show evidence of HAD. This hickory system could be a good parthenogen-rich counterpoint to the goldenrod system in the study of HAD in insect communities.

Application of plant growth regulators mitigates chlorotic foliar injury by the black pecan aphid (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

Black pecan aphid, Melanocallis caryaefoliae (Davis) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), feeding elicits localized chlorotic injury to pecan foliage [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K Koch] and apparent acceleration of leaf senescence and defoliation. The ability of certain plant growth regulators (PGRs) (forchlorfenuron, gibberellic acid and aviglycine) to prevent M. caryaefoliae from triggering pecan leaf chlorosis and senescence-like processes was evaluated on two dates in both 2006 and 2007. Treatments were applied to orchard foliage and used in laboratory leaf-disc bioassays to assess possible reduction in aphid-elicited chlorosis and concomitant effects on aphid mortality and development. Foliage pretreated with forchlorfenuron + gibberellic acid prior to being challenged with aphids resulted in significantly less aphid-elicited chlorosis than did control or aviglycine-treated leaf discs. No PGR affected aphid mortality; however, development time was increased by forchlorfenuron + gibberellic acid in 2006 and by aviglycine + gibberellic acid on one date in 2007. Certain PGRs possess the potential for usage on pecan to protect foliar canopies from M. caryaefoliae via changes in the susceptibility of the host leaf to senescence-like factors being introduced by feeding aphids. This protective effect on host foliage and the associated suppressive effect on development of feeding aphids might also be relevant to pest management programs on other aphid-crop systems in which aphid-elicited chlorosis and senescence-like processes can limit profitability.

Relationship of leaf necrosis and defoliation to phosphorus and potassium concentrations in selected tissue and to certain fruit quality parameters of pecan

Pecan [ Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch] trees developed necrotic areas in the leaves late in the growing season. July samples indicated that leaf P (0.114% DW) and K (0.62% DW) were low, but other elements were within accepted sufficiency ranges. Relationships between leaf P and K concentrations with nut quality and return bloom were determined. Trees were rated for leaf necrosis 1 October using a 1 (none)–5 (severe) scale. Fruit were harvested and analyzed for weight/nut, kernel weight, and kernel grade. Leaflet pairs collected 1 October from fruit bearing shoots were analyzed for N, P and K. Return bloom was determined on branches that bore fruit the previous year. Necrosis ratings were positively related to leaf N and negatively correlated with weight/nut; kernel, shuck and leaf P concentrations; and kernel and leaf K concentrations. Leaf, kernel and shuck P concentrations were positively correlated with weight/nut and percentage number 1 kernels. Leaf K was positively correlated with return bloom and weakly negatively correlated to weight/nut. Phosphorus was the primary element limiting fruit development and K shortage substantially reduced return bloom. Data support minimum pecan leaf standards in July for fertility recommendations of 1.0% K and 0.14% P.

Integration of Bifenazate and Western Predatory Mite (Acari: Phytoseiidae) for Control of Pecan Leaf Scorch Mite (Acari:Tetranychidae) in Pecan Orchards

A voluntary phase-out of the manufacture of dicofol, the principal miticide used for chemical control of pecan leaf scorch mite, Eotetranychus hicoriae McGregor (Acari: Tetranychidae), and the recent discovery and evaluation of western predatory mite, Galendromus occidentalis (Nesbitt), as a biological control of pecan leaf scorch mite have led to the registration of the selective miticide, bifenazate, as a possible replacement for dicofol for control of pecan leaf scorch mites in pecan orchards in the US. The impact of bifenazate on the pecan leaf scorch mite and phytoseiid predatory mites was studied in field trials conducted from 2003–2006. Bifenazate was an effective miticide and had the additional benefit over dicofol of conserving phytoseiid mites. The lowest effective concentration as a foliar spray application was 0.3 g actual bifenazate/l water. The effective residual activity of bifenazate at 0.3 g active ingredient/I applied at 1400 l/ha was 2–6 wks depending on the year and location. Bifenazate conserves a portion of the phytoseiid mite population as phytoseiid abundances were similar in the nontreated and bifenazate-treated trees for up to 4 wks after treatment. Treatment of pecan trees with bifenazate plus the release of phytoseiid mites was a more effective method for pecan leaf scorch mite control than the application of bifenazate alone. Among 8 chemical control treatment alternatives to dicofol, pecan trees treated with bifenazate had similar predatory mite abundance to the non-treated control.

Chlorotic Feeding Injury by the Black Pecan Aphid (Hemiptera: Aphididae) to Pecan Foliage Promotes Aphid Settling and Nymphal Development

The nature of the interaction between the black pecan aphid, Melanocallis caryaefoliae (Davis) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), and the chlorosis it causes to foliage of its pecan [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch)] host is poorly understood. Laboratory experiments were conducted on the settling behavior of the black pecan aphid, when provided chlorotic pecan leaf discs resulting from previous black pecan aphid feeding and nonchlorotic leaf discs, under a normal photoperiod and constant dark. Additionally, aphid development from the first instar to the adult stage was examined when nymphs were either allowed to feed on the same leaf disc or moved daily to a new, nondamaged, same age leaf disc. After 24 h, a significantly higher percentage of black pecan aphids settled on chlorotic than on nonchlorotic leaf discs, regardless of photoperiod. When starting from the first instar, nymphs that were prevented from inducing leaf chlorosis by moving daily to new, same-age leaf discs took approximately 5 d longer to complete development, had a shorter body length, and had higher mortality than when aphids remained on the same leaf disc. These results show that black pecan aphid-induced leaf chlorosis plays an important role in the interaction of the black pecan aphid with its pecan host.

Impact of Predatory Mite Releases on the Abundance of Pecan Leaf Scorch Mite (Acari: Tetranychidae)

Release of the predatory mites, Galendromus occidentalis (Nesbitt) and Phytoseuilis persimilis Athias-Henriot, suppressed or controlled populations of pecan leaf scorch mite (Eotetranychus hicoriae McGregor [Acari:Tetranychidae]) in an 18-yr-old ‘Desirable’ pecan orchard. Predators controlled a low population (4.4 pecan leaf scorch mites and eggs per leaf in untreated trees) of pecan leaf scorch mites in the 2002 season at 28 days after the release date. In 2003, both species of predatory mites were released at 500 and 1000 mites per tree in the center tree of a 25-tree, square plot (0.41 ha). Untreated trees had 63, 240, and 38 pecan leaf scorch mites and eggs per leaf at 6, 10, and 24 d postrelease, respectively. Pecan leaf scorch mites were controlled at this high population density in the release area 24 d after the release. Release of the mites at 500 and 1000 G. occidentalis mites per tree reduced the pecan leaf scorch mite infestation by 67 and 91%, respectively. Release of 500 and 1000 P. persimilis mites per tree reduced the pecan leaf scorch mite infestation by 90 and 98%, respectively. Predatory mite releases appear to provide an effective management tactic for pecan leaf scorch mite for pecan producers in Georgia.