1. Physical and Chemical Properties of soils from Pecan Orchards Sheny Leon Mentor: Dr. Manoj Shukla Plant and Environmental Sciences, NMSU NEW MEXICO AMP ALLIANCE FOR MINORITY PARTICIPATION

2. Introduction  Pecans in New Mexico Importance Successful in NM  Climate  Altitude  Water management Vital for sustaining yield Water use dependant on:  Type of soil, structure, water holding capacity  Pecan water use In southwest 1310 mm 1900 to 2500 mm depending on soil type NEW MEXICO AMP ALLIANCE FOR MINORITY PARTICIPATION

3. Introduction  Problem Limited water availability High rates of evaporation Low availability of clean water resources  Using water sustainably Increasing irrigation application efficiency  Increased by applying water at right time  Improving irrigation system efficiency  Reducing deep water percolation losses by understanding extraction patterns of pecan NEW MEXICO AMP ALLIANCE FOR MINORITY PARTICIPATION

4. Objectives:  Determination of depth-wise soil texture  Depth-wise soil pH and EC  Relate these to water holding capacity of soil  Use it to schedule irrigation NEW MEXICO AMP ALLIANCE FOR MINORITY PARTICIPATION

5. Research Relevance  Water conservation  Yield  Sustainable Management NEW MEXICO AMP ALLIANCE FOR MINORITY PARTICIPATION

6. Methods  Obtaining soil samples Leyendecker Riverside NEW MEXICO AMP ALLIANCE FOR MINORITY PARTICIPATION

7. Riverside Pecan Site Leyendecker Pecan Site

8. Methods  Preparation and sieving of soil samples.  Textural analysis  Preparation of soil extract and chemical analysis NEW MEXICO AMP ALLIANCE FOR MINORITY PARTICIPATION

9. Methods  Preparation of soil samples and textural analysis NEW MEXICO AMP ALLIANCE FOR MINORITY PARTICIPATION

10. Methods  Chemical analysis (EC and pH)

11. Results DepthSand % Silt %Clay % Soil name 0-2062.7126.7410.55Sandy Loam 20-4078.5514.896.55Loamy Sand 40-6090.715.244.05Sand 60-8089.955.894,16Sand 80- 100 86.229.564.22Sand  Textural analysis Riverside  Soil type: Loamy Sand to sand DepthSandSiltClaySoil Name 100-12092.613.294.10Sand 120-14094.281.893.83Sand 140-16094.711.303.99Sand 160-18092.733.613.66Sand NEW MEXICO AMP ALLIANCE FOR MINORITY PARTICIPATION

12. Results  Textural analysis Leyendecker  Soil Type: Clay Loam to sand DepthSandSiltClaySoil Name 0-2024.5948.3127.096Clay Loam 20-408.5260.7830.69Silty Clay Loam 40-6018.1556.7825.06Silt Loam 60-8042.1542.5815.26Loam 80-10062.0823.9813.93Sandy Loam DepthSandSiltClaySoil Name 100-12077.5 2 10.4411.81Sandy Loam 120-14080.0 8 13.985.93Loamy Sand 140-16081.6 8 13.185.14Loamy Sand 160-18091.53.8564.64Sand NEW MEXICO AMP ALLIANCE FOR MINORITY PARTICIPATION

13. Textural Triangle NEW MEXICO AMP ALLIANCE FOR MINORITY PARTICIPATION

14. Results  Riverside EC NEW MEXICO AMP ALLIANCE FOR MINORITY PARTICIPATION

15. Results  Riverside pH NEW MEXICO AMP ALLIANCE FOR MINORITY PARTICIPATION

16. The water transport and storage parameters Soil type ss rr WHC cm Ks cm/d Silty Clay Loam0.480.095.8511.11 Silt Loam0.440.065.7018.26 Clay Loam0.440.085.408.18 Sandy Loam0.390.045.2538.25 Loam0.400.065.1012.04 Sand0.370.054.80642.98

17. Discussion  Soil Analysis Soil type distribution Sandy loam vs. Loamy sand  EC Decreasing EC with increasing depth  pH Relatively neutral pH (between 7.9 and 8.4) NEW MEXICO AMP ALLIANCE FOR MINORITY PARTICIPATION

18. Conclusions  The soil texture at Riverside site ranged from loamy sand to sand with depth  Soil pH at Riverside ranged from 7.9 to 8.5  Soil EC at Riverside site ranged from 1000 uS to 400 uS with increasing depth  WHC at Riverside site ranged from 5.10 to 4.80 with depth  The soil texture at Leyendecker site ranged from clay loam to sand with depth  WHC at Leyendecker site ranged from 5.40 cm to 4.80 cm with depth  Tests for soil pH and EC at Leyendecker still need to be done NEW MEXICO AMP ALLIANCE FOR MINORITY PARTICIPATION

19.  NM AMP NSF Grant #NSF HRD 083171 for their support and interest in our research.  Dr. Shukla for support, guidance and review during the research. Acknowledgments NEW MEXICO AMP ALLIANCE FOR MINORITY PARTICIPATION