Skip to main content
ARS Home » Southeast Area » Byron, Georgia » Fruit and Tree Nut Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #332963
Title: Challenges of managing disease in tall orchard trees – pecan scab, a case study

Author
item Bock, Clive
item BRENNENMAN, TIM - University Of Georgia
item Wood, Bruce
item STEVENSON, KATHERINE - University Of Georgia

Submitted to: CAB Reviews: Perspectives in Agriculture, Veterinary Science, Nutrition and Natural Resources
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/31/2016
Publication Date: 4/27/2017
Citation: Bock, C.H., Brennenman, T.B., Wood, B.W., Stevenson, K.L. 2017. Challenges of managing disease in tall orchard trees – pecan scab, a case study. CAB Reviews: Perspectives in Agriculture, Veterinary Science, Nutrition and Natural Resources. 12(008):1-18.

Interpretive Summary: Managing disease in tall orchard trees presents unique issues not found in relatively shorter horticultural and agronomic crops, simply due to height. Pecan scab is used as an example of a major disease of one of the tallest orchard crops in the world (up to ˜35 m). This disease is a major issue for pecan despite ˜120 years of research aimed at improving management approaches. The historic and current use of host resistance, ground and aerial application of fungicides (and issues associated with their use), and possible benefits of tree management tools are discussed. The problems in obtaining maximum scab control are presented, and the research needs and the possibilities offered by new technologies, including use of unmanned aerial vehicles and genomics tools are presented. Better utilization of existing scab management options, applying new orchard management tools, and incorporating new technologies should help ensure that pecan scab has less impact on pecan production in the coming decades.

Technical Abstract: Managing disease in tall orchard trees presents unique issues not found in relatively shorter horticultural and agronomic crops, simply due to height. Pecan scab (caused by Fusicladium effusum [G. Winter] Seyran et al.) is used as an example of a major disease of one of the tallest orchard crops in the world (up to ˜35 m). This disease is a major issue for pecan (Carya illinoinensis [Wangenh.] K. Koch) notwithstanding ˜120 years of research aimed at improving management approaches. The historic and current use of host resistance, ground and aerial application of fungicides (and issues associated with their use), and possible benefits of tree management tools are discussed. The problems in obtaining maximum scab control are presented, and the research needs and the possibilities offered by new technologies, including use of unmanned aerial vehicles and genomics tools are presented. Better utilization of existing scab management options, applying new orchard management tools, and incorporating new technologies should help ensure that pecan scab has less impact on pecan production in the coming decades.