Avocado cultivation practices

About Avocado Fruit

1. WELCOME Submitted to:- Dr. H. N. Leua Assi . Professor College of Horticulture S.D.A.U., Jagudan Submitted by:- Brahmbhatt Jay H. M.Sc.Horticulture

2. AVOCADO

3. Introduction Avocado is an ancient fruit, originated mainly from Central America and Mexico. The word “Avocado ” comes from the word "A hucatl ", which means testicle. The tree was commonly referred to as the “testicle tree” because of the shape of the avocado and the way they hung from the tree. Discoveries have found that Avocado existed over 14,000 years ago, but it was originally recognized by the Aztecs. They believed this fruit to be an “A phrodisiac ” . The botanical name of avocado is Persea americana . It is also known as: Alligator Pear, Butter fruit, Makhanphal (Hindi), Kulu naspati , Vennai Pazham (Tamil), Alpukat (Marathi), Magar Nashpati (Urdu), Benne Hannu (Kannada), Venna Pandu (Telegu). Popenoe (1935) considered the avocado as God’s greatest gift to humanity In a country such as India, Growing of avocados could be helpful in averting this condition, whose product has high food, nutrition and market value. Yet, cultivation of avocado in India is somewhat problematic. Therefore, there is immense need to encourage, develop and implement an appropriate production technology of avocado in our country.

4. Scientific Introduction Kingdom : Plantae Phylum : Angiosperms Class : Magnoliids Order : Laurales Family : Lauraceae Genus : Persea Species : americana Fruit type: A large berry that contain single seed

5. Origin of avocado Avocado is a polymorphic tree species that apparently originated in broad geographical area stretching from the eastern and central highlands of Mexico (Puebla State) through Guatemala to the pacific coast of central America.

6. Health Benefits of Avocado Avocados contain “oleic acid”, a monounsaturated fat that may help lower cholesterol. About 75% of an avocado's calories come from fat, most of which is monounsaturated fat. Avocado is a good source of potassium, a mineral that helps regulate blood pressure. Dietary source of the "carotenoid lutein". It also contains measurable amounts of related carotenoids plus significant quantities of vitamin E. Avocados have a high fiber content of 75% insoluble and 25% soluble fiber. On a 100 g basis, avocados have 35% more potassium (485 mg) than bananas (358 mg). They are rich in B vitamins, as well as vitamin E and vitamin K. Due to a combination of specific aliphatic acetogenins , avocado is under preliminary research for potential anti-cancer activity.

7. Soil requirement Need well-aerated and loose soil. Limestone, sandy loam and decomposed granite are the main soil types. Avocado trees tolerate both acidic and alkaline soils. Two meter depth in high rainfall area, 1 m for semi-arid areas. Loamy texture, with a friable, porous crumb structure permitting rapid internal drainage. Absence of compact layer. Soil pH 5.5-7.0. Organic content 2%. Moderate to high water holding capacity. Avocado is intolerant to flooding. The avocado is relatively have shallow root depth (1 m depth) Avocado roots have high oxygen requirement. Avocado is salt sensitive species . (Chloride toxicity)

8. Climatic requirement The three best-known avocado races each has specific climatic requirements as a result of adapting to their original environment. Mexican races Originated in the cool, subtropical highland forests of Mexico. Mature trees can withstand temperatures of - 4 to -5 °C. They should not be planted in areas prone to frost in August and September, because flowers are damaged easily by frost. A humidity range of 45 to 60 % should suffice. The optimum temperature for growth is 20 to 24 °C.

9. Cont … Guatemalan race: Originated from the tropical highlands of Guatemala Require a cool, tropical climate without any extremes of temp. or RH Trees can withstand light frost, below - 2 °C, but flowers are sensitive to frost High temperatures of about 38 °C, with low RH, cause flower and fruit drop. A humidity level of 65 % or higher is required

10. Cont … West Indian race: Originated in the humid, tropical lowlands of Central America and are best adapted to continuous hot, humid conditions with a high summer rainfall Like all avocado cultivars they are, however, extremely sensitive to drought and do not tolerate frost well (minimum temperature of 1.5 °C). The optimum temperature for growth is 25 to 28 °C. The humidity should preferably be above 60 %.

11. Avocado Production in India In India, avocado is not a commercial fruit crop. It was introduced from Sri Lanka in the early part of the twentieth century. In a very limited scale and in a scattered way it is grown in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharashtra, Karnataka in the south-central India and in the eastern Himalayan state of Sikkim. Varieties introduced at the Fruit Research Station, Kallar , Tamil Nadu: – Long, – Round, – Fuerte , – Pollock, – Peradeniya Purple Hybrid, – Shambaganur and –Trapp

12. Flowering Avocado flowers carry both male and female reproductive organs. Each flower opens twice over a two-day period. The first day as a female and the second day as a male. Air temperature regulates the opening and closing of flowers Three requirements for a successful fruit set 1. An overlapping of the flowering stages 2. Significant insect activity, including bees 3. Temperature is somewhat low

13. Protogynous diurnal synchronous dichogamy Protogynous: Its pistil is receptive before pollen shedding. Diurnal: The flower opens twice for several hours each time and each opening is separated by at least one overnight period. Synchronous: At one point of time one type of plant produces either male of female. Dichogamy: Male and female parts are functional at different time The flower is functionally pistillate (female) during the first opening and staminate (male) during second opening Group A: the first (female) opening starts in the morning and ends before noon. Secod (male) opening occurs in the afternoon of the next day Group B: The first opening (female) occurs in the afternoon and male opening the next morning.

14. PRODUCTION OF PLANTING MATERIAL Mexican race is reported to provide almost all of the rootstock requirements in California. Generally, it is used also in Israel and South Africa. The Gautemalan race is more sensitive to cold and has also proved more susceptible to high pH chlorosis and to Verticillium wilt. West Indian stocks are preferred in warmer regions or where salinity is a problem. Need of Phytophthora-resistant rootstocks is recognized as the most important factor for the success of its cultivation. In India, presently, there is no commercial nursery engaged in vegetative propagation of avocado, nor is there any initiative either at governmental or private level to undertake nursery production of avocado planting material.

15. PROPAGATION In India, commonly propagated through seeds Viability of seeds is quite short (2 to 3 weeks) but improved by storing the seed in dry peat or sand at 50C. Removal of seed coat before sowing hastens germination. In Sikkim, all trees grown are seedlings origin. Seeds taken from mature fruits are sown directly in the nursery or in polyethylene bags. When 6-8 months old, the seedlings are ready for transplanting. Such seedling at 10-15 years produce 300 to 400 fruits. Vegetative propagation by means of budding ( Sheild ) or grafting (Cleft) At FRS, Kallar , in TN, layering as well as inarching gave up to 75% success, while in West Bengal chipbudding is reported to be successful.

16. ESTABLISHMENT OF ORCHARDS If an avocado plantation is to be established in a relatively new area, the varieties to be selected for planting should belong to both A and B groups and their flowering must overlap. The proportion of A and B group varieties can be 1:1 or 2:1. Avocado is planted out to a distance of 6 to 12 metres depending on the vigour of variety and its growth habit. For varieties having a spreading type of growth, like Fuerte , a wider spacing should be given. In areas prone to excess water, they should be planted on mounds as avocados cannot withstand waterlogging. In Sikkim, a planting distance of 10 x 10 metres on hills slopes (on half-moon terraces) is preferred and planting is done in June-July. Pits of 90 x 90 cm are dug during February-March, and filled with farmyard manure and top soil (1:1 ratio) before planting. In Coorg, a region of Karnataka state, they have been planted also as one of the mixed crops in a primarily coffee-based cropping system.

17. NUTRITON MANAGEMENT Avocados need heavy manuring, and application of nitrogen has been found to be most essential. In general, young avocado trees should receive N, P2O5 and K2O in a proportion of 1:1:1 and older trees in the proportion of 2:1:2. At a pH of above 7, iron deficiency symptoms may appear, which may be corrected by applying iron chelate at the rate of 35 g/tree. Various micronutrients (Fe, Zn, B) have profound influences on tree growth, nutrient uptake and yield of avocado. Integrated nutrient management with inorganic fertilizer, supplemented by organic manuring, is advocated for avocado. In Sikkim, the soil is deficient in nitrogen, zinc and boron. Application of urea in two split doses, in March/April and September/October (just before and after the onset of the monsoon) is recommended. Foliar application of zinc sulphate (0.5 per cent) may be undertaken in April-May, and other fertilizers applied in soil during March-April.

18. Training And Pruning Little pruning is required Regulate tree canopy size Tree removal Pruning is rarely practiced except with upright varieties such as Pollock. In spreading varieties like Fuerte , branches are thinned and shortened. Heavy pruning has been found to promote excessive vegetative growth, consequently reducing the yield.

19. Irrigation Avocados are very sensitive to moisture stress, especially during flowering, fruit set and fruit development – Irrigation systems should be designed depends on • number of trees per hectare • soil texture and depth • weather conditions • trees’ growth cycle In orchard's basically drip irrigation techniques required – Water stress can cause symptoms including; • fruit drop • ring-necking • skin cracking • salt burn • In young trees, vegetative growth is reduced Sprinkler irrigation has been reported to improve the fruit size and oil percentage; also, it advances harvesting time. Irrigation at intervals of 3 to 4 weeks during the dry months is beneficial to avocado. Flooding is undesirable as it promotes root rot incidence.

20. FRUIT HARVESTING AND YIELDS Avocado plants raised from seeds start bearing five to six years after planting. Mature fruits of purple varieties change their colour from purple to maroon, whereas fruits of green varieties become greenish-yellow. Fruits are ready for harvest when the colour of seed coat within the fruit changes from yellowish white to dark brown. Mature fruits ripen six to ten days after harvesting. The fruits remain hard as long as they stay on the trees, softening only after harvest. The yield ranges from about 100 to 500 fruits per tree. In Sikkim, specifically, on average 300-400 fruits can be harvested from 10-15 years old trees. In Sikkim, fruits of Purple variety are harvested during July, and for Green variety September-October is the usual harvesting time. In Tamil Nadu, July-August is the peak harvest time.

21. Post-harvesting, Handling, Storage and Marketing Avocados do not ripen on the tree, and fruits soften only after they are Picked. Fruits need to be picked carefully. They should be harvested at the correct stage of maturity, when they are still hard and have a minimum oil content of 12 per cent. Up to 14 days transport time is considered satisfactory, though unripe avocados can be stored for up to four weeks if the temperature is kept between 5.5 and 8°C.

22. AVOCADO DISEASES Bacterial diseases Bacterial canker Pseudomonas syringae Xanthomonas campestris Blast Bacterial fruit spot Pseudomonas syringae Crown gall Agrobacterium tumefaciens Virus like diseases Sun blotch Avocado sun blotch viroid Trunk pitting Graft transmissible agent

23. Fungal diseases Anthracnose Colletotrichum gloeosporioides Glomerella cingulata Armillaria root rot Shoestring root rot Armillaria mellea Rhizomorpha subcorticalis Black mildew Asteridiella perseae Branch canker Heart rot Leaf spots Phytophthora trunk canker

24. Constrains in Avocado Production One of the important constraints appears to be due to the consumer preference. In the domestic market the avocado may not be liked by the common people due to the nature of its taste Farmers in our country has no appropriate knowledge and training about the production process of Avocado. They have less idea how it may become beneficial in economically.

25. Pest and Management Common pests Avocado leaf roller Avocado thrips Persea mites

26. Miscellaneous disorders Algal spot Cephaleuros virescens Kunze Black streak Unknown cause Dieback Copper deficiency Edema Physiological Little leaf rosette Zinc deficiency Tip burn Excess mineral salts

27. sorces : National Horticulture Board (2015-16) Horticultural statistics at a glance 2017 Handbook of Horticulture by K. L. chadhdha Textbook of pomology T. K. Boss