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ARS Home » Plains Area » College Station, Texas » Southern Plains Agricultural Research Center » Crop Germplasm Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #206287
Title: Pecan Pollination

Author
item Grauke, Larry
item Thompson, Tommy

Submitted to: Texas Pecan Growers Association
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/13/2006
Publication Date: 1/1/2007
Citation: Grauke, L.J., Thompson, T.E. 2007. Pecan Pollination. In: Stein, L.J., McEachern, G.R., editors. Texas Pecan Handbook. Volume 1. College Station, TX: Texas Cooperative Extension/Horticulture. p. 41-48.

Interpretive Summary: Pecan trees have a complicated system of flowering. It is necessary to understand the flowering system in order to plan orchards that are productive. Understanding the details of flowering can also help growers study existing orchards to help them diagnose problems. This paper explains pecan flowering and provides pictures and charts. This will help pecan growers plan future orchards and manage existing ones.

Technical Abstract: Understanding the flowering system in pecan trees is necessary for choosing appropriate cultivars in the design of productive orchards. It is also necessary for monitoring bloom in orchards as an aid to diagnosing problems and routine management. The flowering system of the pecan tree is complex and requires specialized terminology that is defined in this paper, with drawings to help growers visualize the flowering system. The paper also provides an explanation of the initiation, development and anthesis of male and female flowers for protandrous and protogynous cultivars, with comments on sources of seasonal variation. Charts are provided to aid growers in selecting cultivars with reciprocal anthesis patterns to insure adequate cross pollination.