Georgia Pecan Growers have applied an average of 2.5 fungicide sprays prior to Memorial Day, 2021.
Cool temperatures in April and May, accompanied by low humidity, allowed pecan growers to save fungicide sprays from prior years. According to Gary Veal, technical sales agronomist, “our Georgia pecan growers historically have applied 3-4 applications by this date”.
For Kphite 7LP, in our traditional heavy scab orchards, growers have applied 3 and some 4 applications, back-to-back. Veal says, “Kphite 7LP is ranked LOW RISK for pecan scab building resistance. This means we can make multiple and sequential foliar applications without fear of pecan scab developing resistance”. Veal continues, “the adoption of Kphite 7LP in pecan growers’ early season leaf-scab program has resulted in visible improvement in overall tree health”. “Trees sprayed multiple time with Kphite 7LP seem to be ahead in schedule at this point, rather than lagging behind, says Veal”.
How does a systemic fungicide work versus a contact fungicide? Veal comments, “foremost, all fungicides should be applied preventatively. Leaf scab is not difficult to prevent with correct fungicides. Leaves are easily covered with good spray applications. Nut-scab, however is more complex. Good coverage is essential with contact fungicides because we are trying to cover a spherically shaped nut. Veal says, when we get to nut elongation and expansion, a contact fungicide does not move with the newly developing nut tissue. On the other hand, Veal says that Kphite 7LP is fully tree-systemic moving with the flow of water and nutrients. Comparatively, says Veal, the systemic flow of Kphite 7LP follows the nut elongation and expansion.
“Plant Food Systems, Inc., is leading the pecan industry with innovation and discovering ways to improve pecan production, according to Veal”.
Gary Veal
Technical Sales Agronomist
Plant Food Systems, Inc.
495 Satilla Road
Ocilla, GA 31774
