Effect of Time of Inoculation withCladosporium caryigenumon Pecan Scab Development and Nut Quality

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Abstract
Pecan nut clusters were inoculated with conidia of C. caryigenum on 10 dates ranging from May 15 to Sept. 11. Comparison of disease increase models based on a logarithmic curve fitting regression analysis indicated that the 10 epidemics resulting from inoculations could be classified into 3 groups: early, mid-, or late-season. The midseason group had the greatest rates of disease increase, which may correspond to greater midseason nut susceptibility. Early season disease initiation decreased nut size, weight, percent oil, moisture, and protein content. Mid- and late-season disease initiation did not adversely affect any of these quality parameters. This indicated that the major effect of pecan scab on nut quality occurred prior to mid-June, the time of the initiation of shell (endocarp) differentiation.