Fertilization strategies in Pecan and effects on soil properties and plant growth

The pecan (Carya illinoensis Koch) is a fruit species belonging to the group of walnuts, a member of the family Juglandaceae, the same of the common walnut (Juglans regia) that besides being part of the culinary culture of Middle Eastern and European countries, has highly nutritious properties. The objectives of this work were to compare organic amendment vermicompost, with inorganic solid fertilizer in two doses (F1and F2) and a control without fertilization, and their effects on soil properties and plant development (height and diameter) from December 2012 to February 2015. Soil pH and EC values were unaffected neither by year x treatment interaction effect nor by a treatment effect, even when pH values showed a very low variability among soil samples. EC showed a much higher variability between samples, especially at the latest season. Respect to plant growth the highest diameter was detected when an organic amendment or a high rate of a synthetic fertilizer were applied.The application of an organic amendment caused the highest levels of C and P in soils.