Source of pollen, distance from pollinizer, and time of pollination affect yields in block-type pecan orchards

Abstract

Inadequate cross-pollination of pecan [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch] occurred in block-type orchards generally thought exempt from pollination-related crop losses because of an abundance of nearby potential pollinizers. 'Off-genotypes' appeared to be potentially major assets in such orchards due to their role as backup pollinizers; hence, their presence insures against crop losses due to poor pollination. Fruit-set in 'Desirable' main crop rows declined sigmoidally as distance from 'Stuart' pollinizer rows increased. For 15.4-m row spacings, rate of decrease was maximum between 49 and 78 m, depending on crop year. Maximum fruit-set was in rows immediately adjacent to the pollinizer. Tree age/size and spring temperature influences on the characteristics of flower maturity windows are probably primary factors contributing to pollination-related fruit-set losses in block-type orchards relying upon pollen from a single complementary pollinizer or from neighborhood trees. For example, flower maturity was earlier in older/larger trees, and higher spring temperatures accelerated catkin development relative to that of pistillate flowers. Maximum fruit-set occurred when pistillate flowers received pollen around 1 day or less after becoming receptive, whereas no fruit-set occurred when they were pollinated around four or more days after initial receptivity. These findings indicate that many block-type orchards in the southeastern United States are exhibiting pollination-related crop reductions and that future establishment of such orchards merits caution regarding the spatial and temporal distribution of pollinizers.