In a Nutshell: The Pecan Podcast

In this episode, we are introduced to UGA Precision Ag Specialist, Dr. Luan Oliveira. He shares his latest research in drone application and the Smart Apply spray system. Dr. Oliveira shares data on the chemical savings of the Smart Apply along with an viability of drone application for different size pecan trees. Host Dr. Lenny Wells and Dr. Oliveira discuss the future of how these technologies may be used in the pecan industry.

UGA Extension Horticulturalist, Dr. Lenny Wells, discusses the current late-season irrigation recommendations based on new science in pecan sap flow. The conversation extends to late-season issues with shuck decline. How do environmental conditions this time of year influence embryo rot, sprouting, and overall shuck decline? The conversation continues into late-season nutrient deficiencies. How late should we correct a nutrient deficiency? How do we rank the importance of each nutrient within pecan? What role does pH play in management of zinc?

Co-host and Area Pecan Agent, Andrew Sawyer, discusses two recent finds of flatheaded apple borer activity on newly planted pecan trees. What is the current damage observed on his beetle? Andrew shares a recently published article from UGA on the flights of this insect. Dr. Wells and Andrew discuss the unlikely effectiveness of a late treatment, but share thoughts on a plan for a future infestation.

In this episode, Georgia Pecan Grower Association Director, Mary Bruorton, joins Dr. Lenny Wells and Area Pecan Agent, Andrew Sawyer, for an update from the GPGA. The discussion continues with a short history of the Georgia pecan field day season. The 2026 Southeast Georgia Pecan Field Day is August 26th at Wilbur Murray's orchard in Appling County. It is followed by the annual GPGA Fall Field Day on September 3 at Southern Hills Orchard in Lee County. We look forward to seeing you there!

Bailey Segars from the American Pecan Council joins the podcast to talk about the APC, its history, operation of American Pecan Promotion Board, current marketing ventures, and food safety. The podcast concludes with an update on American Pecan Council services to pecan growers and the upcoming referendum.

Should you sample leaves for a fungicide sensitivity test in 2026? How do you determine the best time to fruit thin your orchard? What is the mechanism in fruit thinning that mitigates alternate bearing? What is the latest date to apply fertilizer in pecan orchards? 

Dr. Lenny Wells and Southeast Georgia Area Agent, Andrew Sawyer, give an update on the current pecan crop conditions in east and west Georgia including developing scab issues, late-season fertilization decisions and the right or wrong decision to fruit thin.

Hosts Andrew Sawyer and Dr. Lenny Wells discuss the 2026 Georgia pecan crop and current pest issues pecan growers are managing. Dr. Wells shares the first 2026 crop estimate originally presented at the Tri-State Pecan Conference last week.

The two discuss the physiology of nut drop and how to distinguish it from mid-season insect pests. With black pecan aphid damage becoming more evident, at what point should growers spray? Should growers add more nitrogen to this year's crop? If so, when? What is the best way to manage irrigation through the nut sizing period? And, is it too early to discuss the pecan market?

From the University of Georgia Department of Pathology, Dr. Clemen Oliveira joins the podcast to discuss his 2025 on-farm pecan scab research trials, a basics in the scab fungus biology, and proper rotation of fungicides. Hosts Dr. Lenny Wells and Andrew Sawyer talk with Dr. Oliveira on the challenge in managing scab in the Southeastern U.S. What is a good scab management program for low-input cultivars? What is the difference between resistance and sensitivity to fungicide? And finally, is there an opportunity for a new fungicide in pecan?

In this episode, Dr. Patrick Conner from the University of Georgia Department of Horticulture takes us inside the UGA Pecan Breeding Program. Dr. Conner discusses pollinating procedures, the breeding process and development of a pecan cultivar. How long does it take to develop a cultivar? How many crosses are made in a year? How are desired pecan traits determined?

The episode closes with a short discussion on the three released pecan varieties under the UGA Pecan Breeding Program.

With pollination complete, Georgia pecan growers are determining how to manage pecan nut casebearer.  Dr. Apurba Barman from the UGA Department of Entomology joins this week's podcast to answer early insect management questions. Has casebearer reproduction been established across Georgia? Should all varieties of pecan be treated the same? Why are the western and eastern pecan growing regions so different in terms of casebearer damage?  Do trap captures of casebearer correlate with damage?

Additionally, UGA Horticulturalist Dr. Lenny Wells and Dr. Barman discuss an historical context of aphid management from Texas to Georgia. What should pecan growers do if adult black pecan aphids are present in the month of May?

Finally, Dr. Barman addresses his new research on prionus root borer to determine a new way of control and if young pecan trees may also be susceptible to its damage.

This episode separates the planning process from the planting process of establishing a pecan orchard. Hosts Andrew Sawyer and Dr. Lenny Wells of University of Georgia Cooperative Extension cover the necessity of site selection, pollinator placement, and tree spacing. This episode continues with proven planting techniques involving root protection, hole depth, at-plant pruning and deer management. The hosts include a season update for Georgia pecan in April of 2026.