Tree thinning to enhance growth, production, and nut quality in high-density pecan orchards

Authors

  • Cristiano Geremias Hellwig Universidade Federal de Pelotas - UFPel, Pelotas/RS - Brasil
  • Carlos Roberto Martins Embrapa Clima Temperado, Cascata, Pelotas/RS - Brasil
  • Antonio Davi Vaz Lima Universidade Federal de Pelotas - UFPel, Pelotas/RS - Brasil
  • Roseli de Mello Farias Universidade Estadual do Rio Grande do Sul - UERGS, São Borja/RS - Brasil
  • Marcelo Barbosa Malgarim Universidade Federal de Pelotas - UFPel, Pelotas/RS - Brasil

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15536/thema.V23.2024.885-901.3940

Keywords:

Carya illinoinensi, shading, nuts, branch drying

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of tree thinning on vegetative growth, production aspects, and fruit quality in a high-density pecan orchard with shading issues. The experiment was conducted over five harvests in a 2 x 2 factorial design. Factor A consisted of two cultivars, while Factor B represented treatments with and without tree thinning. Thinning was performed by removing 50% of the trees in the area. The following variables were evaluated: vegetative growth, dry branches, fruit production, and fruit quality. Tree thinning promoted canopy growth, resulted in a higher number of basal branches, reduced branch drying, increased production per tree, and improved production efficiency. It also enhanced fruit mass, length, diameter, and the number of fruits per kilogram. However, neither the intensity of production alternation nor kernel yield was improved. Although tree thinning enhances vegetative growth, production per tree, production efficiency, and fruit quality in pecan trees, it does not improve orchard productivity after five harvests.

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Author Biographies

Cristiano Geremias Hellwig, Universidade Federal de Pelotas - UFPel, Pelotas/RS - Brasil

Carlos Roberto Martins, Embrapa Clima Temperado, Cascata, Pelotas/RS - Brasil

Antonio Davi Vaz Lima, Universidade Federal de Pelotas - UFPel, Pelotas/RS - Brasil

Roseli de Mello Farias, Universidade Estadual do Rio Grande do Sul - UERGS, São Borja/RS - Brasil

Marcelo Barbosa Malgarim, Universidade Federal de Pelotas - UFPel, Pelotas/RS - Brasil

Published

2024-12-16

How to Cite

HELLWIG, C. G.; MARTINS, C. R. .; LIMA, A. D. V.; FARIAS, R. de M.; MALGARIM, M. B. Tree thinning to enhance growth, production, and nut quality in high-density pecan orchards. Revista Thema, Pelotas, v. 23, n. 3, p. 885–901, 2024. DOI: 10.15536/thema.V23.2024.885-901.3940. Disponível em: https://periodicos.ifsul.edu.br/index.php/thema/article/view/3940. Acesso em: 22 dec. 2024.

Issue

Section

Ciências Agrárias