2004 Annual Report 1.What major problem or issue is being resolved and how are you resolving it (summarize project aims and objectives)? How serious is the problem? What does it matter? Profitable pecan husbandry is a major problem for U.S. pecan farmers and to those who process, use, and consume pecans. This is largely due to:1) highly variable nut production (termed alternate bearing),. 2)premature loss of fruit; and. 3)disease related crop losses and associated cost of disease control. Failure to find adequate solutions to these biological problems will result in a serious decline in both quantity and quality of domestically produced pecans available to U.S. citizens and will also adversely affect the economic viability of pecan farm families and related operations. This work is therefore highly relevant to U.S. farm families engaged in pecan farming, their communities, and to the processors, users, and consumers of pecan nuts. Agriculture will benefit from improved cultural tools and management strategies for pecan with ramifications for many other agricultural crops. These will be key components of integrated, profitable, and environmentally-friendly production systems that conserve natural resources. The general approach of this project is to devise environmentally sound and cost-effective husbandry strategies for pecan farming enterprises. This is to be attained by addressing the following objective:. 1)development of tools and approaches facilitating environmentally sound and profitable cultivation via acquisition of greater understanding of key processes regulating alternate bearing, nutmeat yield and crop retention,. 2)development of improved disease control strategies while minimizing pesticide usage. The specific approaches being utilized to resolve these problems are:. 1)identification of alternate bearing regulatory processes within the tree,. 2)modification of alternate bearing via timely usage of gibberellins or inhibitors,. 3)development of hedge pruning and topping as a tool for moderating alternate bearing and for increasing orchard efficiency,. 4)development of ultra high density hedge pruning of early flowering and prolific varieties,. 5)development of a chemical fruit thinning strategy,. 6)development of a strategy to reduce water-stage fruit-split,. 7)development of a means of reducing premature germination of nuts (vivipary),. 8)identify the cause of mouse-ear replant disease and development of strategies to prevent the disease or disorder,. 9)improved control strategies for foliar and fruit scab disease, 10) improved control strategies for shuck decline disease, and 11) development of strategies to prevent fruit loss due to shuck and kernel rot. The research to be undertaken falls under the National Programs 305 and 303. For NP-305 it addresses Component I: Integrated Production Systems; and for NP-303 it addresses Component III: Cultural Controls. 2.List the milestones (indicators of progress) from your Project Plan. Milestones for each of the approaches being utilized to resolve these problems are as follows: Year 1 (FY2004) Implement preliminary studies on optimization of regulator concentration and timing involving promoter and inhibitor of floral morphogenesis. Implement study of cycle length, time of cut, canopy form, topping, canopy thickness; and study of light environment and assimilates in regards to hedge pruning. Continue evaluation of field study on hedge pruning. Implement evaluation of influence of influence of bioregulators, Mo, and nitrate on vivipary. Implement studies on role of specific divalent cations in regards to mouse-ear. Implement on select orchards, begin field observations, and obtain fungal collection. Implement establishment of research plots, determine presence of the pathogen in soil, trap insects, and identify carriers. Implement studies on spray tests and stress study during the ON year, determine disease cycles. Initiate evaluation of candidate compounds as fruit thinners. Year 2 (FY2005) Complete phase one studies relating to basic alternate bearing unit; complete studies on leaf:fruit ratio. Complete preliminary studies on optimization of regulator concentration and timing involving promoter and inhibitor of floral morphogenesis Continuation of study of cycle length, time of cut, canopy form, topping, canopy thickness; and study of light environment and assimilates Continue evaluation of field study Finalize preliminary evaluation of influence of influence of bio-regulators, Mo, and nitrate. Finalize studies on role of specific divalent cations in mouse-ear. Select orchards, begin field observations, and obtain fungal collection. Establish research plot, determine presence of the pathogen in soil, trap insects, and identify carriers. Initiate spray tests and stress study during the ON year, determine disease cycles. Complete evaluation of candidate compounds. Year 3 (FY2006) Explore in greater detail the role of hormones, carbohydrates, and N compounds in regulation of alternate bearing at the bud level. There will be continuation of field studies using most likely strategy for control of alternate bearing via promoters and inhibitors. Continuation of field studies of hedge pruning using various strategies. Continue evaluation of field studies. Implement evaluation of optimal strategy for reduction of vivipary. Continue field evaluation of most effective control strategies. Continue disease ratings, determine virulence of scab isolates. Continue insect transmission study, initiate fungicide control. Continue shuck decline field trials. Complete evaluation of concentrations for chemical thinning agents. Year 4 (FY2007) Continuation of studies, modified as needs arise to test other hypotheses. Seek EPA registration of products for pecan. Continue study of various hedge pruning strategies. Continue evaluation of field study. Continue study and seek EPA registration (if chemicals are useful). Continue evaluation of strategies. Continue field observations, obtain orchard records, compile data to determine patterns. Complete insect transmission and fungicide control. Continue shuck decline field trials. Complete evaluation of thinning agents. Year 5 (FY2008) Final evaluation, revision of alternate bearing theory, make recommendations. Complete study and recommend treatment strategy for control of alternate bearing in "On" and "Off" trees. Recommend mechanical hedge pruning principals and strategies for specific orchard situations. Assess potential of high density hedge pruning study for different cultivars and make recommendations to specialists. Make recommendations and seek EPA registration if necessary. 3.Milestones: A. List the milestones that were scheduled to be addressed in FY 2004. How many milestones did you fully or substantially meet in FY 2004 and indicate which ones were not fully or substantially met, briefly explain why not, and your plans to do so. All milestones scheduled for completion in FY 2004 were completed. These milestones are: Implement preliminary studies on optimization of regulator concentration and timing involving promoter and inhibitor of floral morphogenesis. Implement study of cycle length, time of cut, canopy form, topping, canopy thickness; and study of light environment and assimilates in regards to hedge pruning. Continue evaluation of field study on hedge pruning. Implement evaluation of influence of bio-regulators, Mo, and nitrate on vivipary. Implement studies on role of specific divalent cations in regards to mouse-ear. Implement on select orchards, begin field observations, and obtain fungal collection. Implement establishment of research plots, determine presence of the pathogen in soil, trap insects, and identify carriers. Implement studies on spray tests and stress study during the ON year, determine disease cycles. Initiate evaluation of candidate compounds as fruit thinners. B. List the milestones that you expect to address over the next 3 years (FY 2005, 2006, & 2007). What do you expect to accomplish, year by year, over the next 3 years under each milestone? Year 2 (FY 2005) Phase one studies relating to basic alternate bearing unit and studies on leaf:fruit ratio are to be completed. This information will provide insight into the role of carbohydrates and identify equilibriums points that serve as targets for management strategies. Preliminary studies on optimization of regulator concentration and timing involving promoter and inhibitor of floral morphogenesis should be completed. This will provide insight into whether commercial growth regulators can be used to control alternate bearing in pecan. Continuation the study of cycle length, time of cut, canopy form, topping, canopy thickness; and study of light environment and assimilates will provide guidance regarding how to develop optimal pruning strategies. Continue evaluation of field study on high density hedgerow pruning practices will provide information relevant to the potential of this practice. Evaluation of influence of influence of bio-regulators, Mo, and nitrate on vivipary should provide insight into how to prevent pre-germination sprouting. Study on role of specific divalent cations in mouse-ear and how they should be applied will enable control of this abnormality. Field observations and fungal isolations will illuminate improved approaches to control of pecan scab. Continued evaluation of field plots will identify role of the soil pathogens and insects in causing kernel rot. Field studies in the ON crop year will reveal critical information regarding the disease cycle of organisms involved in shuck decline. Evaluation of candidate compounds useful in fruit thinning is expected to be completed. Year 3 (FY 2006) There will be exploration in greater detail on the role of hormones, carbohydrates, and N compounds in regulation of alternate bearing at the bud level. This will provide greater insight into the fundamental mechanisms regulating alternate bearing in pecan. There will be continuation of field studies using the most promising strategy for control of alternate bearing via promoters and inhibitors. There will be continuation of field studies of hedge pruning using various strategies, plus the high density hedgerow approach will be yielding considerable information at this time that will begin to identify the efficacy of the approach. Evaluation of the strategy for reduction of vivipary will provide key insight into the ability to find a means of controlling the problem. Continued field evaluation of the most effective control strategies for control of pecan scab will guide development of needed refinements regarding efficacious control of scab. Identification of virulence of scab isolates will provide insight potentially altering management approaches. Understanding the transmission of the disease will enable development of a disease management strategy. Evaluation of strategies to control shuck decline will give insight into need modifications. Completed evaluation of candidate thinning compounds will enable expanded scale evaluation of a chemical thinning strategy to control crop load. Year 4 (FY 2007) Alternate bearing control strategies will be evaluated based on development of an alternate bearing theory from the earlier studies. Commercially promising flower regulating agents will be developed for commercial use by beginning the process of seeking EPA registration for use on pecan. Hedge and hedgerow pruning studies will continue to be evaluated with modification as necessary to meet commercial constraints. Continue control studies and seek EPA registration if relevant chemicals are required for control of vivipary. There will be continued evaluation of strategies regarding factors affecting mouse-ear and how to optimize for commercial orchard situations. Finalize evaluation of scab control studies and complete insect transmission and fungicide control studies for kernel rot. An improved commercial control strategy is expected to be nearly complete at this phase. The continuation of shuck decline field trials will identify improved commercial control practices. Large-scale trials of the identified thinning agent will be evaluated to refine the strategy for commercial operations. 4.What were the most significant accomplishments this past year? A. Single most significant accomplishment during FY 2004: Excessive Usage of Zinc is causing a Nickel Associated Replant Disorder in Pecan Orchards: The cause of a replant disease, or disorder, becoming common in commercial pecan orchards was found to be due to a zinc induced nickel deficiency. Decades of zinc usage has resulted in such an accumulation of soil zinc in older orchards that a zinc induced nickel deficiency occurred. This is important in that it provides a readily curable solution to poor tree health and eventual tree death in second-generation plantings; identifies nickel as an overlooked micronutrient in plant nutrition; implicates fertilizer suppressed nickel uptake as a potential key factor in certain diseases or disorders in many different crops; and signals the possibility of over usage of certain fertilizers in U.S. agriculture. B. Other Significant Accomplishment(s), if any: Mechanical Hedge Pruning of Pecan: A mechanized hedge pruning and topping management tool was developed for commercial pecan operations. This tool is important in that it enables farmers to better manage the production risk of alternate bearing and its attendant side-effects and provides an option to tree removal as a means of managing orchard crowding. The tool will enhance the potential for profitable production of pecan nuts. Mistletoe Control: Parasitic mistletoe in tree canopies is a major problem for certain pecan farm situations. A management tool was developed that enables farmers to control the mistletoe related risk by easily killing mistletoe without harming the host tree. This management tool is important in that it enables effective control of a heretofore recalcitrant pest that substantially reduces crop yield and kills trees, thus increasing tree and orchard health and productivity with minimal management costs. The tool is also applicable to mistletoe problems on other deciduous tree species. Relationship of Alternate Bearing to Canopy Health and Time of Fruit Ripening: It was discovered that, as a general trend, the intensity of alternate bearing is least for cultivars possessing late season fruit ripening and retention of late season canopy health due to retained fruit. As the economically most important biological problem of pecan, alternate bearing mitigation is crucial to profitable pecan husbandry. This knowledge provides pecan breeders with key information necessary for breeding new cultivars possessing greater year-to-year consistency in production and quality. It also serves to identify a basic principle that late season canopy health is critical for stable yields. C. Significant activities that support special target populations: None D. Progress Report opportunity to submit additional programmatic information to your Area Office and NPS (optional for all in-house ("D") projects and the projects listed in Appendix A; mandatory for all other subordinate projects) None 5.Describe the major accomplishments over the life of the project, including their predicted or actual impact. Impact of major accomplishments: Excessive Usage of Zinc is Causing A Nickel Associated Replant Disorder in Pecan Orchards: Discovery that the cause of a replant disease, or disorder, that is becoming common in commercial pecan orchards, is due to a zinc induced nickel deficiency. Decades of zinc usage has resulted in such an accumulation of soil zinc in older orchards that a zinc induced nickel deficiency occurred. This is important in that it provides a readily curable solution to poor tree health and eventual tree death in second-generation plantings; identifies nickel as an overlooked micronutrient in plant nutrition; implicates fertilizer suppressed nickel uptake as a potential key factor in certain diseases or disorders in many different crops; and signals the possibility of over usage of certain fertilizers in U.S. agriculture. This discovery has greatly advanced knowledge of pecan tree nutrition as well as likely impacting nutrition of essentially all woody perennial field and nursery crops. is likely that certain diseases, or disorders, especially replant disorders, exhibited by many other woody crops will eventually be linked to a nickel deficiency as being a key component of the complex causing the disease or disorder. As a consequence of this work the Association of American Plant Food Control Officials, the regulatory umbrella group that sets standards for fertilizer products and uses, is in the process of recognizing nickel as an essential plant nutrient element; thus facilitating nickel usage in U.S. agricultural crops. The discovery will undoubtedly trigger considerable research by others regarding nickel nutrition of U.S. food, fiber, and ornamental crops. Nickel management strategies have therefore been developed in anticipation of needs by farmers and nurserymen. It has also triggered nickel product development and will lead to reduced application of metals such as zinc and copper to orchard environments. This accomplishment is tied to a key objective of the Pecan Production and Protection Project Plan and to ARS National Program NP-305 (Integrated Crop Production and Protection). Mechanical Hedge Pruning of Pecan: The development of certain mechanical hedge pruning strategies as a new production related risk management tool has already been adopted by several farmers. It will likely revolutionize pecan husbandry approaches and will be increasingly adopted by a majority of large farming operations, especially those in the southwestern U.S. This practice will be a key factor in minimizing the wild fluctuation of the annual national crop, thus helping to stabilize price and supply fluctuations and ensuring that consumers have access to high quality nut meats. This risk management tool has been successfully transferred to farmers. The tool is undergoing modification for specific situations and will therefore fine additional application. It is likely that half of the pecan being produced in the U.S. will eventually utilize some form of mechanical hedge pruning. This accomplishment is tied to a key objective of the Pecan Production and Protection Project Plan and to ARS National Program NP-305 (Integrated Crop Production and Protection). Mistletoe Control: This mistletoe management tool has been transferred and is beginning to impact pecan horticulture. Its impact is primarily relevant to pecans in the southeastern U.S., but will eventually impact other deciduous crops encountering problems with parasitism by mistletoe. This accomplishment is tied to a key objective of the Pecan Production and Protection Project Plan and to ARS National Program NP-305 (Integrated Crop Production and Protection). Relationship of Alternate Bearing to Canopy Health and Time of Fruit Ripening: This knowledge has been transferred to pecan breeders who can use it to produce improved cultivars. It will have impact by enabling development of better pecan cultivars and by enabling farmers to reduce the severity of alternate bearing in their orchards. This accomplishment is tied to a key objective of the Pecan Production and Protection Project Plan and to ARS National Program NP-305 (Integrated Crop Production and Protection) and NP-303 (Diseases). For NP-305 it addresses Component I: Integrated Production Systems; and for NP-303 it addresses Component III: Cultural Controls. 6.What science and/or technologies have been transferred and to whom? When is the science and/or technology likely to become available to the end-user (industry, farmer, other scientists)? What are the constraints, if known, to the adoption and durability of the technology products? The following have been transferred, or are in the process of being transferred, to users: Excessive Usage of Zinc is Causing A Nickel Associated Replant Disorder in Pecan Orchards: A U.S. patent was applied for regarding the usage of nickel on crops. The patent will serve to increase the probability of safe usage of nickel in orchards, nurseries, yards, and gardens. Knowledge of the recently identified role of nickel in woody plant nutrition was communicated to farmers and scientists. Nickel fertilizer products are now being developed and tested for use by citizens and are expected to be available in 2005. Mechanical Hedge Pruning of Pecan: The technology is already available and is being increasingly used by farmers. Modified approaches for niche situations are expected to be available in 2006-2008. Mistletoe Control: The technology has been transferred to scientists, industry, and farm advisors/agents and is beginning to be used. Relationship of Alternate Bearing to Canopy Health and Time of Fruit Ripening: The technology has been transferred to scientists, extension specialists, and farmers; thus, being available to end users. 7.List your most important publications in the popular press and presentations to organizations and articles written about your work. Reilly, C.C., Wood, B.W. 2003. Kernel rot in the 2002 season, possible causes and remedies. Texas Pecan Growers Association. p.36-37. Log #158957 Reilly, C.C., Wood, B.W., Hotchkiss, M.W. 2003. Bark canker of unknown etiology developing on pecan Carya illinoensis trees. Phytopathology. 93:73. Abstract. Log #146526 Reilly, C.C., Wood, B.W. 2003. Pecan nut diseases: when, where and how. Pecan Grower. 14(3):8-9. Log #148707 Shapiro-Ilan, D.I., Reilly, C.C., Hotchkiss, M.W., Wood, B.W. 2003. The beneficial insect-killing fungus, Beauveria bassiana, can overcome effects of fungicide sprays. Pecan Grower. 14(4):24-27. Log #148460 Shapiro-Ilan, D.I., Jackson, M.A., Reilly, C.C. Hotchkiss, M.W. 2004. Mixing insect diseases to kill pecan weevils. Pecan Grower. 15(3):10-13. Log #160807 Nyczepir, A.P., Wood, B.W., Reilly, C.C. 2003. Evaluation of selected pecan (Carya illinoensis) rootstocks for resistance to Meloidogyne partityla. Phytopathology. 93(6):566. Abstract. Log #148587 Nyczepir, A.P., Reilly, C.C., Wood, B.W. 2004. Incidence and association of Meloidogyne partityla with mouse-ear and disorders of pecan in Georgia. Journal of Nematology. Abstract. Log #164839 Wood, B.W., Reilly, C.C., Nyczepir, A.P. 2003. Nickel corrects mouse-ear. Pecan Grower. 15(1):3-8. Log #154141 Nyczepir, A.P., Reilly, C.C., Wood, B.W. 2004. Nematodes, a hidden problem for pecan production. Pecan Grower. 16(1):20-21. Log #166120 Shapiro-Ilan, D.I., Cottrell, T.E., Gardner, W., Reilly, C.C., Hotchkiss, M.W., Wood, B.W. 2003. Update on research toward microbial control of the pecan weevil. 96:103-108. Log #148459 Ellington, J., Carrillo, T., Drake, J. 2003. Pecan integrated biological control. Southwestern Entomology. (Suppl.27):45-56. Kraimer, R.A., Lindemann, W.C., Herrera, E.A. 2004. Recovery of late-season 15N application to pecan. HortScience. 39:256-260. Review Publications Wood, B.W., Reilly, C.C., Nyczepir, A.P. 2004. Mouse-ear of pecan: I. symptomology and occurrence. Hortscience. 39(1):87-94. Wood, B.W., Reilly, C.C., Nyczepir, A.P. 2004. Mouse-ear of pecan: II. Influence of nutrient applications. HortScience. 39(1):95-100. Wood, B.W., Reilly, C.C. 2004. Control of mistletoe in pecan trees. Hortscience. 39(1):110-114. Wood, B.W., Reilly, C.C., Nyczepir, A.P. 2003. Cu and ni deficiency symptoms and mouse-ear in pecan. Hortscience. 38(5):726. Wood, B.W., Reilly, C.C., Nyczepir, A.P. 2004. Nickel deficiency is occurring in orchard trees [abstract]. Hortscience. 39(4):858. Shapiro Ilan, D.I., Jackson, M.A., Reilly, C.C., Hotchkiss, M.W. 2004. Effects of combining an entomopathogenic fungi or bacterium with entomopathogenic nematodes on mortality of curculio caryae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Biological Control. 30:119-126.