12/26/2018 Avocado Cultivation Information Guide I Asia Farming

Avocado Cultivation.

AVOCADO CULTIVATION INFORMATION GUIDE

Avocado Cultivation Guide:

Introduction to Avocado Cultivation:- Avocado which is popularly known as 'butter fruit'

and used to grow along the fences to protect other crops in orchards. However, it has now
emerged as a prime cash crop in most of the region due to its low production costs and
high yields (returns). Avocado is a native to tropical American region and it said to be
originated in Mexico and Central America. Avocado is a single seeded fruit belongs to the
species of P.americana. Avocados are commercially valuable fruits that are grown in
tropical and Mediterranean climatic conditions throughout the world. Mexico is the top
producer of Avocados. The Avocado tree grows up to 20 meter (60 feet) tall and long
leaves. When it comes to fruit description, these fruits are green skinned with fleshy in
nature. The shape of Avocado fruit is available in pear shaped, egg shaped, and spherical
shape and it weighs between 100 grams to 800 grams depending on variety. Avocado
plants are partially self-pollinating and are usually propagated through grafting to maintain
quality and quantity of Avocado fruit. Avocado farming start-up cost and its maintenance is
low when compared to other fruit crops hence there is a good chance of getting decent
https://www.asiafarming.com/avocado-cultivation/ 1/6
12/26/2018 Avocado Cultivation Information Guide I Asia Farming
returns with commercial avocado cultivation. Avocados can be grown indoors, pots,
containers. As these trees go bigger, they need to be replanted several times. Avocados
grown in containers can make attractive foliage plants indoors. In the following article let us
discuss more about "Avocado cultivation" which involves of planting to harvest.
Scientific Name or Botanical Name of Avocado:- Persea Americana.

Family Name of Avocado:- Lauraceae.

Genus of Avocado Plant:- Persea.

Common Names of Avocado:- Avokado (Afrikaans), Avocado (Dutch, German), Awokado

(Polish), A oKcivTo (Greek), Abokado (Korean), Cowlo (Nepali), Avokaado (Estonian),
Aguacate (Spanish), awokado (Thai), abukado (Filipino), Avocado I Persea americana
(Italian), Bo (Vietnamese), a-bu-kha-lo (Chinese), abacate (Portuguese), avoi<Aido (Czech),
Aligatapera (Sinhalese), Abokado (Japanese), Avocatier (French), avocado (Romanian),
Avokado (Swedish), Avokado (Turkish), avokado (Danish), Avokad6 (Hungarian), avokado I
apukado (Malay), Neerabijh (Sanskrit), afukaadu (Arabic), AeoKa,QO (Russian), avokado
(Latvian).

Avocado in Indian Languages:- Butter Fruit I Makhanphal (Hindi), Vennai Pazham (Tamil),
Vennapazham 16Kli6QJgj\Po (Malayalam), Alpukat (Marathi), Mager Nashpati (Urdu), Benne
Hannu (Kannada), Venna Pandu (Telugu), \511 1<Pil\51 (Bengali), Nashpati (Oriya), GH"
(Punjabi), and Makhan Phal (Gujarati).

https://www.asiafarming.com/avocado-cultivation/ 2/6
12/26/2018 Avocado Cultivation Information Guide I Asia Farming

World Top 10 Production Countries of Avocado:-

The following are the top ten production countries of
Avocado.

1. Mexico
2. Dominican Republic
3. Peru
4. Indonesia
5. Colombia
6. Kenya
7. USA
8. Rwanda
9. Chile
10. Brazil

Health Benefits and Uses of Avocado:- The following

are some of the health benefits of Avocado.

Health Benefits of Avocado.

• Avocados are good for diabetes

• Avocados may relieve from arthritis symptoms

• Avocados are good for pregnant women
• Avocado fruits prevent from constipation as it is loaded with fiber
• Avocado fruits help in lowering cholesterol & triglyceride
levels hence reduce the risk of stroke
• Avocados are excellent for weight loss
• Avocado fruits are good for skin health
• Avocado fruits are good for eye health as they are good source of anti-oxidants.
• Avocados may prevent from certain type of cancers
• Avocados are good for regulating blood pressure
• Avocadoes are good for overall health
• Nutrition values in Avocado: Avocado fruits are very
nutritious and consumption of these result inn over all
https://www.asiafarming.com/avocado-cultivation/ 3/6
12/26/2018 Avocado Cultivation Information Guide I Asia Farming
good health.
• For 100 grams serving size of
Avocado:
• Folate: 20%
• Vitamin K: 26%
• Vitamin 'C': 17%
• Potassium: 14%
• Vitamin '85': 14%
• Vitamin '86': 13%
• Vitamin 'E': 10%
• Other minerals: 81 (Thiamine), 82 (Riboflavin) and 83 (Niacin), Vitamin 'f:\,
Magnesium, Manganese, Copper, Iron, Zinc, and Phosphorous.
• Calories: 160
• Protein : 2 grams
• Healthy fats: 15 grams
• Carbohydrates: 9 grams (7 of those are fiber,
so there are only 2 "net" carbohydrates, hence
it is considered as low-carb fruit)

https://www.asiafarming.com/avocado-cultivation/ 4/6
12/26/2018 Avocado Cultivation Information Guide I Asia Farming

Varieties (Cultivars) of Avocado:- There are three races of avocados; Mexican,

Guatemalan and West Indian. Each race has distinctive features, cross-pollination
permits the development of unlimited varieties.

• Mexican race: This race varieties are hardiest of the group and the most tolerant of cold
conditions.
• Guatemalan race: This is from the tropical highlands and it requires a cool tropical
climate without extremes of humidity and temperature.
• West Indian race: It is originated in the humid low lands of tropical Central America.

There are many improved and high yielding varieties, you should find out suitable variety for
your local conditions.

Climate Requirement for Avocado Cultivation:- Climate is one of major cultivation

practices that influence the profitability in any crop. Commercial farming of Avocados
requires cool and subtropical conditions with average daily temperatures between 18
oc and 25 oc. The temperature requirement may vary from one cultivar (variety) to another.
However, all the cultivars require above 14°C. Avoc ados require high humid conditions during
flowering and fruit set. The avocado trees should be protected from strong winds and hot dry
winds as it may lead to breakage of branches or flowers and fruit drop. Avocados can be grown
at an altitude of 2500 meters above sea level. A well evenly distributed annual rainfall of 1200
mm is desirable for avocado trees. Avocados are sensitive to frost conditions especially at
flowering and fruit set stage. Water stress should be avoided at the time of flowering and fruit
set.

Soil Requirement for Avocado Cultivation:- Fertile soil is always desirable for any crop to
obtain good yields and quality produce. If you are planning for commercial production of
Avocados, a soil test is recommended to find out the chemical suitability of the soil and
based on results; the required nutrients/micro-nutrients should be supplemented. The
Avocado trees require fertile and well-drained soils with good aeration, ideally more than 1
meter deep. Only reddish brown, red and dark brown soils, particularly in the subsoil, are
more suitable for Avocado cultivation. However, Avocado tress prefers medium sandy loam
soils with a pH range of 5.5 to 6.5. Water logging conditions should be avoided and when it
comes to soil texture, Avocado trees thrive best in soils with clay content between 20-40%.

Land Preparation in Avocado Cultivation:- A thorough land preparation is important inn

Avocado cultivation. Prepare the land by clearing off any weeds, dead trees and other
material from previous crops. Give couple of ploughings and cross-harrowing to get the soil to
fine tilth stage using local tractor or any other country plough.

Propagation, Planting and Spacing in Avocado Cultivation:- The most common method
of Avocado tree propagation is done by grafting or budding as they don't grow true type from
seed. Apart from this, grafting method ensures uniformity and early bearing. It is advised to
plant the Avocados during monsoon season (onset of rains) for proper and quick
establishment of seedlings. Avoid to plant a new avocado tree in a space where an old tree
died because there may be a disease in the soil.

https://www.asiafarming.com/avocado-cultivation/ 5/6
12/26/2018 Avocado Cultivation Information Guide I Asia Farming
As we know high density planting gives more yield in early years and this HD planting of
avocado also causes more canopy management problems in later years. In general 10 to 12
meters of spacing is adopted in avocado orchards. This can accommodate 70
to 100 trees/ha. However, in recent years, there is a practice of high density plantation ( 12 x
6m, 10 x 5 m, 8 x 4 m, which can accommodate 140 to 310 trees /ha) of avocado since the
introduction of mechanical hedging machines and growth controlling sprays are available.

Pollinations in Avocado Cultivation:- An avocado trees require to cross-pollination with

another variety for best fruit set. Although avocado flowers have both male & female flower
parts, each part functions at a different time during the day. Generally the Avocado trees are
grouped into Type 'N and Type 'B. Planting both Type '/!\ tree and Type 'B' trees increase
successful pollination if enough insect pollinators like bees are present.
Irrigation in Avocado Cultivation:- Frequency of irrigations depends on many factors such
as soil moisture retaining capacity, climate, and tree age. As soon as transplanting the
Avocado plants are done, they required to be watered immediately for proper settlement in
the soil. An Irrigation should be carried out alternate days for 1 week after transplanting.
Subsequently, watering should be done 1 to times a week for couple of months depending on
soil moisture and climate. Do not water in rainy season and avoid over watering as it is the
main cause failure of the crop which results in root rot disease. Avocados require well-
drainage in case of heavy rains and water logging conditions should be avoided. The best
irrigation method for these trees is drip-irrigation. You can install drip irrigation in avocado
orchard for best water/fertilizer utilization. This method of irrigation also regulates the growth
of weeds at plant base.

Avocado Plantation with Drip Irrigation.

Manures and Fertilizers in Avocado Cultivation:- Application manures and fertilizers are
very important in Avocado cultivation as these trees responds very well to manures. The
manures and fertilizer rate depends on several factors such as soil fertility, fruit yields, age of
trees, and climatic conditions. It is recommended no to top-dress the plants with nitrogen (N)
during initial 4 to 5 months after transplanting the seedlings. After this period, 60 grams
(26%) of Nitrogen (N) should be applied at each tree for every 3 months. Make sure to have
moisture in soil while applying the fertilizers. When it comes organic fertilizers, a well-
decomposed farm yard manure (FMY) of 20 kg to 30 kg should be applied (spread) around
the tree.

https://www.asiafarming.com/avocado-cultivation/ 6/6
12/26/2018 Avocado Cultivation Information Guide I Asia Farming
Intercultural Operations in Avocado Cultivation:-

• Weeding: Weed free field is important to obtain desired results in any crop. To control
weeds, shallow cultivation can be carried out after transplanting the trees without damaging
the roots. Mulching is another practice of controlling weeds in the orchard. If you find weeds
are severe and unable to control through hand and machines, use appropriate herbicides to
check the weeds completely.
• Pruning and Fruit Thinning: Avocado trees can be maintained to desired size with
pinching and pruning. Frequent pinching of young trees is a good method to shape the
avocado tree. It is recommend to prune trees and cut out dead wood after harvest.
Thinning of fruits should be done in boom years to control biennial bearing and enhance
fruit quality in early stages of growth.
• lntercropping: During initial years, legume crops or low growing vegetables can be
cultivated between rows. This not only provides additional income but increases soil fertility
as well.

Pests and Diseases in Avocado Cultivation:-

• Pests: Mealy bugs, mites and scale insects are common insect pests found in Avocado
cultivation. These pests can be controlled by spraying recommended insecticides. For
symptoms and control measures, contact your local horticulture department.

• Diseases: Root rot is most common disease found in Avocado cultivation. This is caused by
Phytophthora cinnamon attack. This disease can be controlled by drenching the soil with
recommended fungicide. Avoid Over irrigation to protect the trees from this disease. Other
diseases include Cercospora spot, and Black spot which attack the leaves, roots and fruits.
These diseases can be controlled by spraying copper fungicides. For exact symptoms and
control measures of these diseases in avocado trees, contact your local horticulture
department.

Note: Your local Horticulture Department is a good source for finding suitable solutions for
controlling pests and diseases in Avocado Cultivation.

Harvesting in Avocado Cultivation:- Avocado fruits DON’T ripen on trees. Finding the right
maturity stage is very important. So how can we identify the time to pick? Well, maturity of
fruits are indicated when the part of the fruit stalk closest to the fruit turns black or brown.
Hand clipping is the most common method of harvesting.

medium green
light green Avocado Ripe Stages.
https://www.asiafarming.com/avocado-cultivation/ 7/6
12/26/2018 Avocado Cultivation Information Guide I Asia Farming

breakin!l pre-ripe dark ripe

Post-Harvesting in Avocado Cultivation:- Trimming, cleaning, sorting, grading and waxing
fruits are part of post-harvesting tasks to be performed before getting them to market. Pack
the graded Avocados into cartons with good ventilation and transport to markets.

Yield in Avocado Cultivation:- Yield of Avocados depends on cultivar, age of tree, climate
and soil along with other orchard management practices. On an average, one can obtain a
yield of 14 to 15 tonnes/ha.

For other Fruit Farming : Read Here.a

https://www.asiafarming.com/avocado-cultivation/ 8/6