Abstract
Key Message
Open-pollinated seedstocks for pecan vary in phenology and composition predictably based on their provenance of origin in ways that impact performance.
Abstract
Open-pollinated rootstocks of pecan (Carya illinoinensis), water hickory (Carya aquatica), and their hybrids (Carya × lecontei) were screened for nematode resistance in outdoor above-ground box-plots. Seedstocks were selected to represent the broad geographic range of species diversity. Seedlings were inoculated with eggs of Meloidogyne partityla, the primary nematode pest of Carya, and were harvested after 1 year. All seedlings, except one, manifested nematode damage at moderate to high levels. Evidence of galling was greatest in seedlings from the southern provenance (Mexico), which rated comparably with seedlings from ‘Elliott’. No sources of resistance to Meloidogyne partityla were observed. The box structure allowed harvest of complete root systems and evaluation of plant composition in greater detail than previously observed. Seedlings from the southern provenance were generally distinguishable from other provenances in timing of seasonal growth, stem diameter and seedling height, which is consistent with previous observations. Root and stem dry weights were greatest in seedlings from the southern provenance, as expected based on size measurements. Percent root water varied significantly as a function of seedstock origin, and was negatively correlated with leaf weight. Leaf weights were positively correlated with dates of growth initiation. Uninfected control plants were not observed in this screening effort, and their absence limits the interpretation of patterns. Implications of these observations, as evidence of regional adaptation, merit further exploration by research.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ares A, Reid W, Brauer D (2006) Production and economics of native pecan silvopastures in central United States. Agrofor Syst 66:205–215
Birchfield W, Hollis JP, Martin WJ (1978) A list of nematodes associated with some Louisiana plants. LSU Tech, Bull, p 101
Brito JA, Kaur R, Dickson DW, Rich JR, Halsey LA (2006) The pecan root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne partityla Kleynhans, 1986. Nematology Circular No. 222. Fla. Dept. of Agriculture and Cons. Serv
Cousins P, Walker HC (2002) Genetics of resistance to Meloidogyne incognita in crosses of grape rootstocks. Theor Appl Genet 105:802–807
Crow WT, Levin R, Halsey LA, Rich JR (2005) First report of Meloidogyne partityla on pecan in Florida. Plant Dis 89:1128
Grauke LJ (1991) The development of selection criteria for pecan seedstocks. In: Wood BW, Payne JA (eds) Pecan husbandry: challenges and opportunities. First national Pecan Workshop Proceedings, US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, pp 125–136 (ARS-96, p 259)
Grauke LJ (2003) Hickories. Chapter 6. In: Fulbright D (ed) A guide to Nut tree culture in North America, vol 1. Northern Nut Growers Assoc, pp 117–166 (p 395)
Grauke LJ (2010) Pecan seed stock selection—regional implications. Proc SE Pecan Grow Assoc 103:42–51
Grauke LJ, O’Barr RD (1996) Initial survival of pecan grafts on seedling rootstocks of pecan, water hickory and their interspecific hybrid. Hort Technol 6:45–48
Grauke LJ, Thompson TE (1995) Rootstock development. pp 167–175. In: Smith MW, Reid W, Wood BW (eds) Sustaining Pecan productivity into the 21st Century: Second National Pecan Workshop Proceedings, Wagoner, Oklahoma, July 23–26, 1994. US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, 1995-3, pp 195
Grauke LJ, Pratt JW, Morris H (1987) Phenology and site adaptations of Louisiana hickories. LSU Pecan Res Ext Stn Res Rep 1987:181–185
Grauke LJ, Thompson TE, Wood BW, Storey JB (2002) Rootstock influence on tree performance. Proc Tex Pecan Grow Assoc 70:20–24
Grauke LJ, Mendoza-Herrera MA, Miller AJ, Wood BW (2011) Geographic patterns of genetic variation in native pecans. Tree Genet Genomes 7:917–932
Hendrix FF, Powell WM (1968) Nematodes and Pythium species associated with feeder root necrosis of pecan trees in Georgia. Plant Dis Rept 52:334–335
Hussey RS, Barker KR (1973) A comparison of methods of collecting inocula of Meloidogyne spp., including a new technique. Plant Dis Rept 57:1025–1028
Kleynhaus KPN (1986) Meloidogyne partityla sp. nov. from pecan nut [Carya illinoensis (Wangenh.) C. Koch] in the Transvaal Lowveld (Nematoda: Meloidogynidae). Phytophylactica 18:103–106
Miyamoto S, Gobran GR, Piela K (1985) Salt effects on seedling growth and ion uptake of three pecan rootstock cultivars. Agron J 77:383–388
National Agricultural Statistics Service (2013) Noncitrus fruits and nuts 2012 preliminary summary. ISSN:1948–2698
Nyzcepir AP, Wood BW (2012) Assessment of selected pecan and peach rootstocks for resistance to Meloidogyne partityla. Nematropica 42:281–286
Nyzcepir AP, Reilly CC, Wood BW, Thomas SH (2002) First record of Meloiodgyne partityla on pecan in Georgia. Plant Dis 86:441
Nyzcepir AP, Wood BW, Reilly CC (2006) Association of Meloidogyne partytila with nickel deficiency and mouse-ear of pecan. Hort Sci 41:402–404
Orr CC (1976) Nematode disease in pecan culture. Pecan South 3:428–429
Sagaram M, Lombardini L, Grauke LJ (2011) Variation in anatomical characteristics in leaves of pecan seedstocks from Mexico and the United States. J Am Soc Hort Sci 136:103–108
Starr JL, Tomaszewski EK, Mundo-Ocampo M, Baldwind JG (1996) Meloidogyne partityla on pecan: isozyme phenotypes and other hosts. J Nematol 28:565–568
Taylor WA (1905) Promising new fruits. Centennial. pp 407–408, Plate LVI, p 412. In: Hill GW (ed) Yearbook of the United States Department of Agriculture, 1904. Government Printing Office, Washington DC, p 776
Thomas SH, Fuchs JM, Handoo ZA (2001) First report of Meloidogyne partityla on pecan New Mexico. Plant Dis 85:1030
Thompson TE, Grauke LJ (1994) Genetic resistance to scab disease in pecan. Hort Sci 29:1078–1080
Volk GM, Waddell JW, Towill L, Grauke LJ (2009) Variation in low temperature exotherms of pecan cultivar dormant twigs. Hort Sci 44:317–321
Wood BW, Grauke LJ, Payne JA (1998) Provenance variation in pecan. J Am Soc Hort Sci 123:1023–1028
Author contribution statement
Both authors were actively involved in all aspects of planning and executing this work. JLS maintains the outside box plots with access to reverse osmosis water for irrigation. He obtained inoculum of M. partityla, increased populations on stock plants, extracted egg inoculum, and treated plants in the test. LJG collected seed from diverse Carya inventories, grew seedlings to establish the test, planted, irrigated, and monitored seedling performance. We worked together to harvest entire plants at termination of the test, dividing them by stem and roots. JLS rated root galling by nematodes on all seedlings and counted eggs on selected samples. LJG weighed fresh and dried stems and roots, and analyzed combined data sets. We collaborated on the analysis and interpretation of the data and worked together in preparation of the manuscript.
Conflict of interest
This work was funded in part by funds provided to LJG from the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, through CRIS 6202-21000-029-00D. Funding was provided to JLS by the USDA ARS, National Plant Germplasm System via Cooperative Agreement No. 58-6202-3-037.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Communicated by Ricardo Alia.
Electronic supplementary material
Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Grauke, L.J., Starr, J.L. Phenotypic screening of pecan seedling rootstocks in search of nematode resistance. Trees 28, 1333–1341 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-014-1038-6
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-014-1038-6