Colloidal Nutrition Improves Parameters of Pecan Tree (<i>Carya illinoinensis</i>) Soil Health Such as Organic Matter, Available Water, and Electrical Conductivity

Background: Soil degradation and nutrient depletion critically impact pecan (<i>Carya illinoinensis</i>) production, reducing yield and soil fertility. Colloidal nutrition, a novel approach involving nano-scale nutrient formulations, could offer potential for soil restoration. Aim: This...

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Main Authors: Rubén Gerardo León-Chan, Brandon Estefano Morales-Merida, Luis Amarillas, Nancy Varela-Bojórquez, Luis Alberto Lightbourn-Rojas
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Agriculture
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/11/1201
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author Rubén Gerardo León-Chan
Brandon Estefano Morales-Merida
Luis Amarillas
Nancy Varela-Bojórquez
Luis Alberto Lightbourn-Rojas
author_facet Rubén Gerardo León-Chan
Brandon Estefano Morales-Merida
Luis Amarillas
Nancy Varela-Bojórquez
Luis Alberto Lightbourn-Rojas
author_sort Rubén Gerardo León-Chan
collection DOAJ
description Background: Soil degradation and nutrient depletion critically impact pecan (<i>Carya illinoinensis</i>) production, reducing yield and soil fertility. Colloidal nutrition, a novel approach involving nano-scale nutrient formulations, could offer potential for soil restoration. Aim: This study aimed to assess the impact of colloidal nutrition on key physical, chemical, and biological soil health parameters in pecan tree cultivation. Methods: Soil from two orchards with 30-year-old pecan trees was used where different nutrition treatments were applied: conventional and colloidal. The variables considered included physical, chemical, and biological properties for the assessment of soil health indicators. Results: The colloidal treatment showed low salinity (2020: 2.04; 2021: 0.88 dS/m) and higher levels of humic acids (1.52 g C/100 g soil), available water depth (2020: 305.11, 2021: 350.00 m<sup>3</sup>/ha), and soil organic matter (2020: 2.10%; 2021: 2.11%). Furthermore, 6 of the 17 phytopathogens that were examined were not detected in the colloidal treatment. Conclusions: This study enhanced our understanding of the improvements that colloidal treatment could potentially provide to the physical, chemical, and biological aspects of soil health in pecan orchards.
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spelling doaj-art-81b3f97a7efb4d90bbadee065565d7a22025-08-20T02:23:00ZengMDPI AGAgriculture2077-04722025-05-011511120110.3390/agriculture15111201Colloidal Nutrition Improves Parameters of Pecan Tree (<i>Carya illinoinensis</i>) Soil Health Such as Organic Matter, Available Water, and Electrical ConductivityRubén Gerardo León-Chan0Brandon Estefano Morales-Merida1Luis Amarillas2Nancy Varela-Bojórquez3Luis Alberto Lightbourn-Rojas4Instituto de Investigación Lightbourn, Jimenez 33981, MexicoInstituto de Investigación Lightbourn, Jimenez 33981, MexicoInstituto de Investigación Lightbourn, Jimenez 33981, MexicoInstituto de Investigación Lightbourn, Jimenez 33981, MexicoInstituto de Investigación Lightbourn, Jimenez 33981, MexicoBackground: Soil degradation and nutrient depletion critically impact pecan (<i>Carya illinoinensis</i>) production, reducing yield and soil fertility. Colloidal nutrition, a novel approach involving nano-scale nutrient formulations, could offer potential for soil restoration. Aim: This study aimed to assess the impact of colloidal nutrition on key physical, chemical, and biological soil health parameters in pecan tree cultivation. Methods: Soil from two orchards with 30-year-old pecan trees was used where different nutrition treatments were applied: conventional and colloidal. The variables considered included physical, chemical, and biological properties for the assessment of soil health indicators. Results: The colloidal treatment showed low salinity (2020: 2.04; 2021: 0.88 dS/m) and higher levels of humic acids (1.52 g C/100 g soil), available water depth (2020: 305.11, 2021: 350.00 m<sup>3</sup>/ha), and soil organic matter (2020: 2.10%; 2021: 2.11%). Furthermore, 6 of the 17 phytopathogens that were examined were not detected in the colloidal treatment. Conclusions: This study enhanced our understanding of the improvements that colloidal treatment could potentially provide to the physical, chemical, and biological aspects of soil health in pecan orchards.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/11/1201moisture retentionheavy metalsphytopathogenshumic acids
spellingShingle Rubén Gerardo León-Chan
Brandon Estefano Morales-Merida
Luis Amarillas
Nancy Varela-Bojórquez
Luis Alberto Lightbourn-Rojas
Colloidal Nutrition Improves Parameters of Pecan Tree (<i>Carya illinoinensis</i>) Soil Health Such as Organic Matter, Available Water, and Electrical Conductivity
Agriculture
moisture retention
heavy metals
phytopathogens
humic acids
title Colloidal Nutrition Improves Parameters of Pecan Tree (<i>Carya illinoinensis</i>) Soil Health Such as Organic Matter, Available Water, and Electrical Conductivity
title_full Colloidal Nutrition Improves Parameters of Pecan Tree (<i>Carya illinoinensis</i>) Soil Health Such as Organic Matter, Available Water, and Electrical Conductivity
title_fullStr Colloidal Nutrition Improves Parameters of Pecan Tree (<i>Carya illinoinensis</i>) Soil Health Such as Organic Matter, Available Water, and Electrical Conductivity
title_full_unstemmed Colloidal Nutrition Improves Parameters of Pecan Tree (<i>Carya illinoinensis</i>) Soil Health Such as Organic Matter, Available Water, and Electrical Conductivity
title_short Colloidal Nutrition Improves Parameters of Pecan Tree (<i>Carya illinoinensis</i>) Soil Health Such as Organic Matter, Available Water, and Electrical Conductivity
title_sort colloidal nutrition improves parameters of pecan tree i carya illinoinensis i soil health such as organic matter available water and electrical conductivity
topic moisture retention
heavy metals
phytopathogens
humic acids
url https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/11/1201
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