Soil NPK fertilization in pecan [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh) K. Koch]: effect on yield, quality and mineral content

Resumen

Objective: To evaluate edaphic NPK fertilization doses in pecan nut [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh) K. Koch]: effect on yield, quality and mineral content.

Design/methodology/approach: The experiment was conducted in a pecan nut orchard in the community of Nuevo San Lucas, municipality of Meoqui, Chihuahua. The trees were of the “Western Schley”, 45 years old, with a real frame type distribution at a distance of 12 meters between trees. A completely randomized experimental design was used, using three treatments: control (T1) 123-126-6, medium dose (T2) 148-98-54 and high dose (T3) 200-119-96, composed of 6 replicates. The variables to be evaluated were fruit size, dry weight, fresh weight, yield, quality and mineral content in kernels.

Results: Significant differences were obtained for the yield variable in treatment 3 with an increase of 65.15% in relation to the almond percentage and a lower moisture content of 27.42%. In the mineral concentration, total N was higher in treatment 3 with 33% in contrast to treatment 2, the percentage of potassium in the control obtained an increase of 13.04% compared to treatment 3, zinc obtained an increase of 36.59% in treatment 3 with respect to the control.

Limitations on study/implications: The fertilization doses evaluated pose desirable traits for producers. However, replication of the experiment in future years is crucial to corroborate results, as well as to learn new behaviors in response to fertilization.

Findings/conclusions: Treatment 3 is positioned as a fertilization alternative to increase yield, mineral content of N and Zn, in addition to decreasing the percentage of moisture in kernels, despite this, it did not obtain favorable results with respect to quality and K concentration in kernels.