Julio C. Oviedo-Mireles

This research addressed the lack of standardization in the nutritional interpretation of pecan kernels. The objective was to evaluate the effect of kernel defatting on nutrient concentration, generate correction factors for each element, and establish nutritional standards through the Integrated Differential Diagnosis (IDD). For this purpose, 222 kernel samples of the Western Schley variety were analyzed, collected at the “El Eden” orchard from 2023 to 2025 in Aldama, Chihuahua, Mexico. In these samples, the concentration of macro and micronutrients was determined on a defatted basis and compared with their non-defatted equivalent using a comparison of sample means by paired observations. From this, correction factors were calculated, and subsequently, nutritional standards were generated, which were validated internally and externally in an orchard with similar conditions. The results revealed that defatting significantly increased the concentrations of N, P, K, Mg, Fe, Mn, and Zn, while Ca and Na showed a significant decrease, and Cu showed no changes in its concentration. The correction factors allowed the transformation of concentrations from the defatted basis to the non-defatted basis, facilitating comparison with previously reported literature. The validation of the standards indicated that they were useful for detecting nutritional imbalances consistent with soil characteristics, highlighting deficiencies of P, Mn, and Cu, as well as an excess of Na.

This research addressed the lack of standardization in the nutritional interpretation of pecan nut kernels. The objective was to evaluate the effect of kernel defatting on nutrient concentration, generate correction factors for each element, and establish nutritional standards through the Integrated Differential Diagnosis (IDD). For this purpose, 222 kernel samples of the Western Schley variety were analyzed, collected at the “El Eden” orchard from 2023 to 2025 in Aldama, Chihuahua, Mexico. In these samples, the concentration of macro and micronutrients was determined on a defatted basis and compared with their non-defatted equivalent using a comparison of sample means by paired observations. From this, correction factors were calculated, and subsequently, nutritional standards were generated, which were validated internally and externally in an orchard with similar conditions. The results revealed that defatting significantly increased the concentrations of N, P, K, Mg, Fe, Mn, and Zn, while Ca and Na showed a significant decrease, and Cu showed no changes in its concentration. The correction factors allowed the transformation of concentrations from the defatted basis to the non-defatted basis, facilitating comparison with previously reported literature. The validation of the standards indicated that they were useful for detecting nutritional imbalances consistent with soil characteristics, highlighting deficiencies of P, Mn, and Cu, as well as an excess of Na.

This study evaluated the effect of soil and foliar fertilization with nitrogen (N), molybdenum (Mo), zinc (Zn), and their combination (Zn-Mo) on nutrition, enzymatic activity, photosynthetic pigments, and productive parameters in the Western Schley pecan tree. An orthogonal Taguchi L16 design was used with differentiated soil and foliar nitrate concentrations, reaching an average of 1557.7 mg kg⁻¹, and increasing up to 1907 mg kg⁻¹ depending on the fertilization dose. Nitrate reductase activity (NRNO₃⁻) significantly increased with N and Mo applications, reaching a maximum of 13.62 µmol. Among photosynthetic pigments, chlorophyll a was the only variable with a significant response, highlighting the role of Mo in its enhancement. Positive effects were also observed on pomological traits such as yield (up to 425 kg ha⁻¹), nut weight, and kernel percentage with increased doses of N and Mo. In conclusion, combined fertilization improved the nutritional status, physiological responses, and productivity of pecan trees, emphasizing the importance of balanced nutrient management to avoid nutritional antagonisms and to optimize both yield and fruit quality.