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NMSU Gets $4 Million Grant For Pecan Tree Research

CARLSBAD, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico State University has received a multimillion-dollar grant to research the genetics of one of the state's most fruitful crops. The Carlsbad Current-Argus reported (http://bit.ly/2bEKqEY) Saturday that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded a $4.4 million grant to NMSU researchers studying pecan trees. Lead researcher Jennifer Randall says the funds will go toward a project focused on identifying genetic markers in the trees. Randall says the research will help pecan growers make better pecan trees. The team will then try to breed trees to display specific traits. Pecan trees represent a nearly $141 million industry for New Mexico. University researchers in Georgia, Arizona and Texas are collaborating on the project. In New Mexico, growers continue to face challenges such as water usage and soil with high salt content.