Taxonomical classification
Order = Fagales
Family = Juglandaceae
Genus = Carya
Species = illinoinensis
Basic chromosome = 16
Introduction:-
- Pecan is a valuable horticultural gift of North America to the world.
- In USA, it is considered as “Queen of nuts” because of its value both as a wild and as a cultivated nut.
- As compared to other nut fruits, which have been grown since time immemorial, pecan has been under cultivation only for about one hundred years but has gained enormous popularity.
- Pecan occupying fifth rank among leading tree nuts because of its excellent nutty flavor.
- Pecan nut is a rich source of fat (72 g) protein (9 g), carbohydrates (15 g) and minerals.
- Pecan is usually taken roasted or salted to supplement normal diet.
- Almost 90% of the nuts are sold shelled and rest in shell.
- The nuts are commonly used to add aroma, flavor and crispness, a rich colour or to garnish a large number of dishes.
- However, most commonly it is used in baking dishes and in ice creams.
- Pecan shell, a bay product is also used to manufacture tannin, charcoal and abrasives in hand soap.
- The pecan tree has a value as a timber too, due to its strength and hardiness. There is a great demand for its veneer and lumber in decorative paneling, fine furniture, and flooring and in pallet manufacturing.
Origin and Distribution:
- Pecan is said to be native of North America but it was also opined that it originated during Cretaceous period in Canada and moved south in recent geological times.
- Spanish explores found pecan growing along the Mississippi river and its tributaries.
- The native habitat of pecan ranging from Texas in the southwest to Alabama in southeast extending up to Southern Illinois.
- Besides USA, the world wide distribution of pecan confined to Australia, Canada, Egypt, India, Israel, Mexico, Peru, Turkey and South Africa.
- In India it is grown in Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir,Uttarakhand and in the Nillgri hills where it was introduced in mid-thirties.
- In Himachal Pradesh, its plantation remained confined to the areas of Kangra, Mandi, Solan and Kullu districts, which constitutes approximately 700 ha area.
Soil and climate:-
Soil:
- Pecan tree can be grown on varied soil conditions ranging from the sandy loam to clay loam and alluvial soil of river and small streams but they all have certain common characteristics.
- The soil should be deep, loose, well drained and well aerated to a great depth.
- Soil that is deficient in any of these requisites may support young trees but fail when the trees attain greater age and size with corresponding greater requirements..
- Pecan can be grown satisfactory where pH ranges from 5 to 8.
Climate:-
- The climate is probably the main constraint in the expansion of pecan cultivation.
- It needs warm temperate climate meaning thereby that the extreme of both temperate and sub-tropical climates are undesirable.
- The pecan requires a long frost-free period from the time when growth starts in the spring until the nut matures in the fall.
- It is influenced by minimum temperature and number of chilling hours during winter.
- An ideal climatic environment for pecan cultivation consists of growing season of 240-280 days, mean temperature above 26.70C, heat unit accumulation (base 100C) of 5000 degree days for 7 months, nut growing period, mean temperature for three coldest month between 7.20C and 12.80C with at least 400 h of chilling.
- High humidity affects adversely the growth, fruiting and regularity of bearing in plant by preventing pollination, increasing the incidence of diseases on leaves and nuts.
- Hailstorms and winds of high velocity are harmful to the trees.
Varieties:
- In pecan nut size, shell thickness and cracking attributes are desirable for selecting a variety.
- Some important pecan varieties grown in country and other parts of the world are Mahan, Nellis, Stuart, Western Schley, Mohawk, Cheyenne, Chicksaw, Desirable
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