Dr. Wells assists county extension agents and commercial pecan growers with pecan production-related information and serves as an educational advisor to the Georgia Pecan Growers Association. Dr. Wells’ applied research is focused on improving pecan production through the management of various cultural practices.

Research: 35 %
Extension: 65 %

Website: http://www.caes.uga.edu/commodities/fruits/pecan/

Recent Publications:

Wells, M.L., and B.W. Wood. 2007. Relationships between leaflet nitrogen: potassium ratio and yield of pecan. HortTechnology 17: 473-479.
Wells, M.L., P. J. Conner, J. F. Funderburk, and J. G. Price. 2008. Effects of foliar-applied boron on fruit retention, fruit quality, and tissue boron concentration of pecan. HortScience 43: 696-699.
Wells, M.L. 2008. Response of ‘Desirable’ and ‘Kiowa’ pecan to a late spring freeze. HortTechnology 18: 455-459.
Wells, M.L., and B.W. Wood. 2008. Foliar boron and nickel applications reduce water-stage fruit-split of pecan. HortScience 43: 1437-1440.
Wells, M.L. 2009. Pecan nutrient element status and orchard soil fertility in the southeastern United States coastal plain. HortTechnology 19: 432-438.
Wells, M.L., D.S. Carlson, and R.P. Edwards. 2009. Profitability of mechanical fruit thinning of ‘Sumner’ and ‘Cape Fear’ pecan. HortTechnology 19: 518-520.
Wells, M. L., Prostko, E. P. 2010. Effects of soil applied imazapic on pecan production. HortTechnology 20: 427-430.
Wells, M.L. 2010. Influence of aldicarb on growth and fruiting of pecan transplants. HortTechnology 20: 556-559.
Wood, B.W., M.L. Wells, and F. Funderburke. 2010. Influence of elevating tree potassium on fruit drop and yield of pecan. HortScience 45: 911-917.
Wells, M.L. 2011. Response of pecan orchard soil chemical and biological quality indicators to poultry litter application and clover cover crops. HortScience 46: 306-310.
Wells, M.L. 2011. Nitrogen availability in pecan orchard soil: implications for pecan fertilizer management. HortScience 46: 1294-1297.
Shapiro-Ilan, D. I., W. A. Gardner, L. Wells, and B. W. Wood. 2012. Cumulative impact of a clover cover crop on the persistence and efficacy of Beauveria bassiana in suppressing the pecan weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Environmental Entomology 41: 298-307.
Wells, M.L. 2012. Pecan tree productivity, fruit quality, and nutrient element status utilizing clover and poultry litter as alternative nitrogen fertilizer sources. HortScience 47(7):927–931.
Wells, M.L. 2013. Pecan response to nitrogen fertilizer placement. HortScience (In Press).
Shapiro-Ilan, D., W.A. Gardener, M. L. Wells, T.E. Cottrell, R.W.Behle, and B.W. Wood. 2013. Effects of entomopathogenic fungus species and impact of fertilizers on biological control of pecan weevil. Environmental Entomology (In Press).