Riding around the county I am beginning to see some trees breaking out buds. As we are getting on into spring here are a few things to be considering when thinking about managing your pecan crop this April. Also, see further in this email a newsletter from the UGA Pecan Team.
Fertilization: Begin Nitrogen applications. You may want to consider adjusting your nitrogen management practices this year. For this year/ limit N applications in April to 50 lbs of total N due to hurricane Helene putting the trees in alternate bearing. With damaged branches, you don’t usually have a crop the following season and trees store nutrients well. We want to stay low on N in 2025 unless you end up with a crop.
Disease Management: Begin fungicide sprays with a phosphite or an 11+3 MOA fungicide at 10-14 day intervals based on disease potential.
Insect Management: Be scouting for ambrosia beetle damage. Also, if you have had a history of phylloxera in the past consider managing with a recommended treatment, such as imidacloprid after bud-break. For more information on phyloxerra, see below in the recent Southeast Georgia Pecan Press the newsletter from Dr. Barman on Phylloxera Management.