By Clint Thompson
Prolonged dry weather conditions across Alabama means minimal scab disease pressure on the state’s pecan crop. That’s positive news for growers who have already begun harvests this season, says Bryan Wilkins, Auburn University research associate.
“The scab really didn’t hurt us this year. I’ve got people that didn’t spray at all. But even some of the homeowners, the pressure was low enough that the yard trees are going to have a crop this year,” Wilkins said. “The less scab you got the less you’ve got to spray. The less money you’ve got in it, the happier everybody is. Prices aren’t great this year. The less scab we have the better off we are for sure.”
Scab is a fungal disease that infects the leaves or nuts of pecan trees. If scab impacts the nut early enough in the production season, it can cause the nut to blacken and fall from the tree. It excels on trees that have received moisture.
Drought in Alabama
Dry weather has worsened in Alabama, according to the most recent release of the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Almost the entire state is covered in drought-like conditions. Most of Alabama is either abnormally dry or moderately dry. Moderate conditions cover most of Southwest Alabama and Northeast Alabama.
The dry weather provides ideal harvest conditions for growers who have plenty to pick this year.
“I think everything’s going to be a little bit early this year. We’ve got people picking up Elliotts, and some of them may even start picking up Cape Fears this week. It’s looking like a pretty good crop,” Wilkins said. “I know there are some spots where they’re a little light, but most everybody that I’ve talked to, maybe one or two people told me they were short this year, but most everybody I’ve talked to has a real good crop this year.”