scholarly journals Nitrogen Fertilization Strategies for the ‘Hass’ Avocado that Increase Total Yield Without Reducing Fruit Size

2016 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 426-435 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaime E. Salvo ◽  
Carol J. Lovatt
Keyword(s):  
Shoot Growth ◽  
Important Determinant ◽  
Total Yield ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Persea Americana ◽  
Phenological Stages ◽  
Tree Phenology ◽  
Hass Avocado ◽  
N Demand

Effects of nitrogen (N) fertilizer application times and rates on ‘Hass’ avocado (Persea americana) yield and fruit size were determined to resolve whether a single dose of soil-applied N [1x N (25 lb/acre)] at each of the five key stages of tree phenology (January, April, July, August, and November) (control) was as efficacious as soil-applied 2x N (50 lb/acre) at one or two key stages or soil- or foliar-applied 3x N (75 lb/acre) at only one stage. All trees received soil-applied N at 125 lb/acre as ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) annually; trees receiving 2x or 3x N received the remaining N divided evenly at the same phenological stages (months) as trees receiving five 1x N applications. The importance of supplying N during the summer, when June drop, exponential fruit growth, vegetative shoot growth, and floral initiation occur, was determined by testing soil-applied 0.8x N in July plus August only (40 lb/acre N as NH4NO3 annually). Application time proved an important determinant of total yield. Yield of commercially valuable size (CVS) fruit was correlated with total yield (r = 0.80, P < 0.0001). Four-year cumulative total yields were equal for trees receiving soil-applied 1x N at five key phenological stages and trees receiving soil-applied 2x N in April and 18.75 lb/acre N at the four other stages (months). However, trees receiving soil-applied 2x N in April plus November and only 8.3 lb/acre N in the three other months, in particular July and August, had significantly lower 4-year cumulative total yields (P = 0.0362). Additional evidence of the importance of meeting avocado tree N demand in the summer is that trees receiving only 40 lb/acre N split in July plus August produced 4-year cumulative total yields equal to trees receiving 25 lb/acre N at the five key phenological stages; lower annual N would reduce fertilizer expense and protect the environment.

scholarly journals Properly Timed Soil-applied Nitrogen Fertilizer Increases Yield and Fruit Size of `Hass' Avocado

2001 ◽  
Vol 126 (5) ◽  
pp. 555-559 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carol J. Lovatt
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Size ◽  
Persea Americana ◽  
Double Dose ◽  
Cumulative Yield ◽  
Phenological Stages ◽  
N Application ◽  
Large Size ◽  
Tree Phenology ◽  
Hass Avocado ◽  
Applied Nitrogen

To protect groundwater from potential nitrate pollution, `Hass' avocado (Persea americana Mill.) growers in California divide the total annual soil-applied nitrogen (N) fertilizer (N at 56 to 168 kg·ha-1) into small applications made during the period from late January to early November. However, no research had been conducted to test the efficacy of this fertilization practice, and there was concern that the amount of N in the individual applications may be too little to meet the demand of the tree at some stages of its phenology. The research presented herein addressed the question of whether yield of `Hass' avocado could be increased by doubling the amount of N currently applied during specific stages of tree phenology. The control in this experiment was the practice of annually applying N as NH4NO3 at 168 kg·ha-1 (168 trees/ha) in six small doses of N at 28 kg·ha-1 in January, February, April, June, July, and November. From these six application times, five were selected on the basis of tree phenology and additional N as NH4NO3 at 28 kg·ha-1 was applied at each time for total annual N of 196 kg·ha-1. Two phenological stages were identified for which N application at 56 kg·ha-1 in a single application (double dose of N) significantly increased the 4-year cumulative yield (kilograms fruit per tree) 30% and 39%, respectively, compared to control trees (P ≤ 0.01). In each case, more than 70% of the net increase in yield was commercially valuable large size fruit (178 to 325 g/fruit). The two phenological stages were when shoot apical buds have four or more secondary axis inflorescence meristems present (mid-November); and during anthesis to early fruit set and initiation of the vegetative shoot flush at the apex of indeterminate floral shoots (about mid-April). When the double dose of N was applied at either of these two stages, the kilograms and number of large size fruit averaged across the 4 years of the study was significantly greater than the control trees (P ≤ 0.01). Averaged across the 4 years of the study, only the November treatment increased yield compared to the control trees (P ≤ 0.05). Application of the double dose of N at flower initiation (January), during early-stage gynoecium development (February), or during June drop had no significant effect on average or cumulative yield or fruit size compared to control trees. Application of the double dose of N in April significantly reduced the severity of alternate bearing (P ≤ 0.05). Yield was not significantly correlated with leaf N concentration. Time and rate of N application are factors that can be optimized to increase yield, fruit size, and annual cropping of `Hass' avocado. When the amounts of N applied were equal (196 kg·ha-1), time of application was the more important factor.

scholarly journals Optimal Nutrient Concentration Ranges of ‘Hass’ Avocado Cauliflower Stage Inflorescences—Potential Diagnostic Tool to Optimize Tree Nutrient Status and Increase Yield

HortScience ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 52 (12) ◽  
pp. 1707-1715 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salvatore Campisi-Pinto ◽  
Yusheng Zheng ◽  
Philippe E. Rolshausen ◽  
David E. Crowley ◽  
Ben Faber ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Concentration ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Nutrient Status ◽  
Persea Americana ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Full Bloom ◽  
Nutrient Analysis ◽  
Tree Phenology ◽  
Hass Avocado

Optimizing ‘Hass’ avocado (Persea americana Mill.) tree nutrient status is essential for maximizing productivity. Leaf nutrient analysis is used to guide avocado fertilization to maintain tree nutrition. The goal of this research was to identify a ‘Hass’ avocado tissue with nutrient concentrations predictive of yields greater than 40 kg of fruit per tree. This threshold was specified to assist the California avocado industry to increase yields to ≈11,200 kg·ha−1. Nutrient concentrations of cauliflower stage inflorescences (CSI) collected in March proved better predictors of yield than inflorescences collected at full bloom (FBI) in April, fruit pedicels (FP) collected at five different stages of avocado tree phenology from the end of fruit set in June through April the following spring when mature fruit enter a second period of exponential growth, or 6-month-old spring flush leaves (LF) from nonbearing vegetative shoots collected in September (California avocado industry standard). For CSI tissue, concentrations of seven nutrients, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) were predictive of trees producing greater than 40 kg of fruit annually. Conditional quantile sampling and frequency analysis were used to identify optimum nutrient concentration ranges (ONCR) for each nutrient. Optimum ratios between nutrient concentrations and yields greater than 40 kg per tree were also derived. The high nutrient concentrations characterizing CSI tissue suggest current fertilization practices (timing or amounts) might be causing nutrient imbalances at this stage of avocado tree phenology that are limiting productivity, a possibility that warrants further investigation. Because CSI samples can be collected 4–6 weeks before full bloom, nutritional problems can be addressed before they affect flower retention and fruit set to increase current crop yield, fruit size, and quality. Thus, CSI nutrient analysis warrants further research as a potential supplemental or alternative tool for diagnosing ‘Hass’ avocado tree nutrient status and increasing yield.

scholarly journals Pruning Height and Selective Limb Removal Affect Yield of Large 'Hass' Avocado Trees

HortScience ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 699-702 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.G. Thorp ◽  
B. Stowell
Keyword(s):  
Large Volume ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Persea Americana ◽  
Small Tree ◽  
Harvest Efficiency ◽  
Hass Avocado ◽  
And Control

Avocado (Persea americana Mill. cv. Hass) trees were pruned over 3 years at either 4 or 6 m in height by removing or heading back selected limbs. Yields were compared with those from control trees with no pruning in the upper canopy. All trees had similar crop loads before pruning. Trees were at 9 × 10-m spacing and were 8 years old when first pruned. Fruit yields were recorded for 2 years before the first pruning and then in each year of pruning. In the final year, trees were harvested in four height zones: 0-2m; 2-4 m; 4-6 m; and >6 m. Cumulative yields over 3 years were similar on 6-m and control trees, but were less on 4-m trees due to the large volume of fruiting canopy removed in the first pruning. The height of the main fruiting zone was lowered on the 4-m trees, with yields in the 2-4-m zone similar to those in the 4-6-m zone of the control trees. Pruning to reduce the number and length of scaffold branches increased fruit yields on the remaining scaffolds without reducing fruit size. Results are discussed in terms of harvest efficiency and the benefits of small tree orchard systems.

scholarly journals Properly Timing Foliar-applied Fertilizers Increases Efficacy: A Review and Update on Timing Foliar Nutrient Applications to Citrus and Avocado

2013 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 536-541 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carol J. Lovatt
Keyword(s):  
Foliar Application ◽  
Total Yield ◽  
Persea Americana ◽  
Nitrate Contamination ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Runoff Water ◽  
Nutrient Demand ◽  
Tree Phenology ◽  
Fertilizer Rates

Foliar fertilization efficiently meets the nutrient demand of tree fruit crops during periods when soil conditions (low or high temperatures, low or excess soil moisture, pH, salinity) render soil-applied fertilizers ineffective, when nutrients (e.g., phosphate, potassium, and trace elements) become fixed in the soil, and when tree nutrient demand is high. Applying nutrients directly to leaves ensures that the metabolic machinery of the tree is not compromised by low availability of an essential nutrient. It should be noted that phloem mobile nutrients applied to the foliage are translocated to all tree parts, even feeder roots. Because foliar application of fertilizers can reduce nutrient accumulation in soil, runoff water, surface water (streams, lakes, ocean), and groundwater (drinking water supply), where they contribute to salinity, eutrophication, or nitrate contamination, with negative consequences to the environment and humans, it is highly desirable to replace soil-applied fertilizers at least in part with foliar-applied fertilizers. However, not all nutrients are taken up through leaves and, even if taken up, some nutrients are not phloem mobile. In addition, although foliar fertilizer rates are typically lower than soil fertilizer rates, application can be more costly. The goal has been to time the application of foliar fertilizers to key stages of citrus (Citrus sp.) and avocado (Persea americana) tree phenology when demand for the nutrient is likely to be high and especially when soil conditions are likely to compromise nutrient uptake by roots. This approach has proven successful for increasing yield, fruit size, and grower income even when the tree is not nutrient deficient by standard leaf analysis. Winter prebloom foliar-applied low-biuret urea was previously documented to increase total yield of both navel and ‘Valencia’ oranges (Citrus sinensis). Adaptation of this treatment to ‘Nules’ Clementine mandarin (Citrus reticulata) increased the yield of commercially valuable size fruit in two experiments. Foliar application of boron or low-biuret urea to ‘Hass’ avocado trees at the “cauliflower” stage of inflorescence development increased total yield; potassium phosphite applied at this stage of tree phenology increased the yield of commercially valuable size fruit.

scholarly journals Water status and productivity of 'Hass' avocado trees in response to supplemental irrigation during winter

2019 ◽  
Vol 54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatiana Cantuarias-Avilés ◽  
Simone Rodrigues da Silva ◽  
Sérgio Figueiredo Angolini ◽  
Bruna do Amaral Brogio ◽  
Edypol Guilherme Baptista ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Water Status ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Fixed Time ◽  
Persea Americana ◽  
Supplemental Irrigation ◽  
Soil Water Tension ◽  
Run Time ◽  
Hass Avocado ◽  
Water Tension

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of supplemental irrigation, during winter dry season, on the water status and productivity of 'Hass' avocado (Persea Americana) trees. The experiment was carried out on a clayey Oxisol from 2014 to 2016, when extreme climatic events were recorded in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. The rainfed regime was compared with two irrigation regimes, applied during the whole and half of the irrigation run time defined by the grower, corresponding to 5,091 and 2,545 m3 ha-1 water, respectively. The following variables were evaluated: soil water tension; leaf water potential, color, and chlorophyll content; leaf and fruit abscission rates; tree size; and fruit size and yield. Supplemental irrigation applied during half of the run time increased fruit yield by 18.2%. However, irrigation applied during a fixed-time period and the occurrence of unusual rainfall spells caused soil water logging, negatively affecting tree growth and water status.

scholarly journals Influence of gibberellin inhibitors applied during flowering of nonirrigated 'Hass' avocado trees

2018 ◽  
Vol 53 (8) ◽  
pp. 918-923 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruna do Amaral Brogio ◽  
Simone Rodrigues da Silva ◽  
Tatiana Cantuarias-Avilés ◽  
Sérgio Figueiredo Angolini ◽  
Edypol Guilherme Baptista ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Shoot Growth ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Fruit Shape ◽  
Persea Americana ◽  
Fruit Yield ◽  
Gibberellin Biosynthesis ◽  
Alternate Bearing ◽  
Water Control ◽  
Hass Avocado ◽  
Prohexadione Calcium

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of different gibberellin biosynthesis inhibitors on shoot growth above the panicle, as well as on fruit yield, size, and shape of nonirrigated 'Hass' avocado (Persea americana) trees. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design, with five treatments, four replicates, and 40 trees. From 2013 to 2015, the following treatments were applied at full bloom, as foliar sprayings: water (control), 250 mg L-1 prohexadione-calcium, 2,500 mg L-1 trinexapac-ethyl, 1,750 mg L-1 paclobutrazol, and 350 mg L-1 uniconazole; the first two are acylcyclohexanediones and the last two, triazoles. Fruit yield, yield efficiency, and alternate bearing were not affected by the application of plant growth regulators. However, the gibberellin inhibitors increased fruit size and modified the fruit shape of nonirrigated 'Hass' avocado. Uniconazole reduces shoot growth above the panicle, and this effect may vary depending on environmental conditions, especially water supply.

scholarly journals Bumblebees (Bombus terrestris) Improve ‘Hass’ Avocado (Persea americana) Pollination

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1372
Author(s):  
Raphael A. Stern ◽  
Ada Rozen ◽  
Ravit Eshed ◽  
Tali Zviran ◽  
Isaac Sisai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bombus Terrestris ◽  
Total Yield ◽  
Pollen Grains ◽  
Persea Americana ◽  
Snp Analysis ◽  
Yield Increase ◽  
Significant Yield ◽  
Hass Avocado ◽  
Germinating Pollen ◽  
Negative Gradient

Pollination is limiting for avocado production. We examined whether adding bumblebees (BBs; ca. 10 hives/ha) to conventional honeybees (HB; 5 hives/ha) would improve ‘Hass’ avocado pollination and yields. A preliminary trial (2017/18) in an avocado orchard with four consecutive rows of ‘Hass’ followed by one row of ‘Ettinger’ serving as a pollenizer (20% ‘Ettinger’) showed a considerable increase in ‘Hass’ yield in rows adjacent to (up to 80 m from) the BB hives vs. distant rows (=controls). In 2018/19, the trials were extended to three additional orchards. A significant yield increase was obtained in the BB hive-adjacent trees compared to BB hive-distant ones. Similar results were obtained in 2019/20, in experiments conducted throughout the country. The SNP analysis, to determine the parents of ‘Hass’ fruit at varying distances from the BB hives, showed no differences in the cross-pollination rate (‘Hass’ × ‘Ettinger’). However, pollination rates and the number of germinating pollen grains per stigma decreased with distance from the hives, and correlated to the negative gradient in yield. Taken together, our data suggest that adding BB hives to ‘Hass’ avocado orchards, at ca. 10 hives/ha resulting in 0.5–1.0 BB visits/tree per min, increases pollination and, accordingly, total yield.

scholarly journals Timing Citrus and Avocado Foliar Nutrient Applications to Increase Fruit Set and Size

1999 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 607-612 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carol J. Lovatt
Keyword(s):  
Foliar Application ◽  
Persea Americana ◽  
Flower Initiation ◽  
Cumulative Yield ◽  
Phenological Stages ◽  
Inflorescence Development ◽  
Nutrient Demand ◽  
Washington Navel ◽  
Foliar Nutrient ◽  
Hass Avocado

The goal of this research was to identify the role essential nutrients play in the physiology of tree crops, and then to apply the nutrient as a foliar fertilizer to stimulate a specific metabolic process at phenological stages when nutrient demand is high. This approach has proven successful. A single winter prebloom foliar application of nitrogen as low-biuret urea [0.16 kg N/tree (0.35 lb N/tree)] to 30-year-old `Washington' navel orange (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck) trees during flower initiation significantly increased yield and fruit number per tree for each of 3 consecutive years (P ≤ 0.05). The number of commercially valuable largesize fruit also increased significantly with yield increases (r2 = 0.88). Sodium tetraborate applied foliarly to `Hass' avocado (Persea americana Mill.) trees at the cauliflower stage of inflorescence development (elongation of inflorescence secondary axes, pollen and ovule development) increased the number of pollen tubes reaching the ovule, ovule viability and cumulative yield (P ≤ 0.05). Additional examples are presented.

scholarly journals `Hass' Avocado Carbohydrate Fluctuations. I. Growth and Phenology

1999 ◽  
Vol 124 (6) ◽  
pp. 671-675 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuan Liu ◽  
Paul W. Robinson ◽  
Monica A. Madore ◽  
Guy W. Witney ◽  
Mary Lu Arpaia
Keyword(s):  
Vegetative Growth ◽  
Shoot Growth ◽  
Soluble Sugar ◽  
Soluble Sugars ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Fruit Production ◽  
Persea Americana ◽  
Starch Concentration ◽  
Total Soluble Sugar ◽  
Hass Avocado

Seasonal fluctuations in nonstructural carbohydrates (starch and soluble sugars) were studied in `Hass' avocado (Persea americana Mill.) trees on `Duke 7' rootstock over a 2-year period in southern California. On a dry weight basis, total soluble sugar (TSS) concentrations ranged from 33.0 to 236.0 mg·g-1 dry weight and were high compared to starch concentration (2.0 to 109.0 mg·g-1 dry weight) in all measured organs (stems, leaves, trunks and roots). The seven carbon (C7) sugars, D-mannoheptulose and perseitol, were the dominant soluble sugars detected. The highest starch and TSS concentrations were found in stem tissues, and in stems, a distinct seasonal fluctuation in starch and TSS concentrations was observed. This coincided with vegetative growth flushes over both sampling years. Stem TSS and starch concentrations increased beginning in autumn, with cessation of shoot growth, until midwinter, possibly due to storage of photosynthate produced during the winter photosynthetic period. TSS peaked in midwinter, while starch increased throughout the winter to a maximum level in early spring. A second peak in stem TSS was observed in midsummer following flowering and spring shoot growth. At this time, stem starch concentration also decreased to the lowest level of the year. This complementary cycling between stem TSS and starch suggests that a conversion of starch to sugars occurs to support vegetative growth and flowering, while sugars produced photosynthetically may be allocated directly to support flowering and fruit production.

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