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Phenological responses of juvenile pecan and white oak on an upland site

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Abstract

Pecan (Carya illinoiensis) and white oak (Quercus alba) produce multiple products and wildlife values, but their phenological responses to N fertilization have not been well characterized. We compared tree growth at planting and for six consecutive growing seasons during establishment (2003–2008, Test 1), and determined if phenology of budburst, leaf area index (LAI), quantum yield of photosystem II (Fv/Fm), radial growth, and total chlorophyll concentration (a, b) responded to poultry litter fertilization supplying 0, 50, and 100 kg ha−1 N (2010–2012, Test 2) in a mixed-species orchard on an upland site near Booneville, Arkansas. Species did not differ significantly in height in Test 1. Budburst was 9 days earlier for white oak than pecan in 2010. Budburst for both species could be predicted by accumulating chilling and forcing units throughout the dormant season. Maximum predicted radial growth was comparable for pecan (2.19 mm) and white oak (2.26 mm), and peaked 28 days earlier for white oak (3 June) than pecan (1 July). White oak LAI generally exceeded that of pecan during the growing season. Senescence began about 27 October regardless of species, and was better characterized by decreasing Fv/Fm or total chlorophyll concentration than LAI. Phenology was generally not responsive to N fertilization, perhaps because of adequate soil and foliar N. The study provides additional information on growth responses of these high-valued species to supplemental fertilization on an upland site.

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Acknowledgments

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Mention of trade names or commercial products in this article is solely for the purpose of providing specific information and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the USDA. Drs. DM Burner, DK Brauer, and JL Snider were formerly located at the Dale Bumpers Small Farms Research Center, 6883 South State Hwy 23, Booneville, Arkansas, USA, 72927. Perdue AgriRecycle, Seaford, Delaware donated the Microstart60 poultry litter. The authors appreciated expert assistance provided by Dr. DE Brauer and technical expertise provided by K Chapman, T Horton, L Huddleston, J Whiley, and B Woolley. Principle funding for the research was provided by USDA–ARS, Dale Bumpers Small Farms Research Center, Booneville, Arkansas through Project 6227-21660-003-00D.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sugarcane Research Unit, USDA-ARS, 5883 USDA Road, Houma, LA, 70360, USA

    D. M. Burner

  2. Conservation and Production Research Laboratory, USDA-ARS, 2300 Experiment Station Road, Bushland, TX, 79012, USA

    D. K. Brauer

  3. Crop and Soil Sciences, University of Georgia, 115 Coastal Way, Tifton, GA, 31794, USA

    J. L. Snider

  4. Pacific Northwest Research Station, USDA-Forest Service, 3625 93rd Ave. SW, Olympia, WA, 98512, USA

    C. A. Harrington

  5. Poultry Production and Product Safety Research Unit, USDA-ARS, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, 72701, USA

    P. A. Moore Jr.

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  1. D. M. Burner
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Correspondence to J. L. Snider.

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D. M. Burner—retired.

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Burner, D.M., Brauer, D.K., Snider, J.L. et al. Phenological responses of juvenile pecan and white oak on an upland site. Agroforest Syst 88, 141–155 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-013-9662-5

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