Yield, Nut Quality, Alternate Bearing in Pecan as a Response toSoil Application of Zinc Chelates in Alkaline Soils

Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch is a fruit tree with high economic value. However, this crop is very sensitive to zinc (Zn) deficiency in alkaline soils, where an alternative to minimize this problem is the edaphic supply of this micronutrient. Thus, the objective of this research is to evaluate the response of some physiological variables (trunk diameter, fruiting shoot length, terminal leaflet area and leaf Zn concentration), yield components (kg tree(-1), nut weight, kernel percentage and alternation index) to the edaphic Zn chelate application in pecan nut "Western Schley" for three years in Chihuahua, Mexico. Five edaphic doses of Zn chelate (Carboxy Zn-(R), Innovak Global, Mexico kg ha(-1)) T1 (8.5), T2 (17), T3 (34), T4 (51), T5 (68), where T0 corresponds to the control (no application) were evaluated in a split-plot experimental design with five replications. Statistical analyses showed statistical differences in physiological parameters such as trunk diameter and shoot length (19.93 and 19.27 cm, respectively), terminal leaflet area (34.08 cm(2)) and leaf Zn concentration (34.93 mg kg(-1)) with soil application of 8.1 (kg ha(-1) of Carboxy Zn), as well as yield components (12.82 kg tree(-1), 7.82 g nut weight and 59.15 kernel percentage) and minimize the bearing alternation index. The edaphic application of Carboxy Zn could be an alternative to Zn supply in the agronomic management of commercial pecan nut orchards in alkaline soils.