Category: Growers

As we transition from winter to spring, crucial phenological processes begin in avocado orchards, particularly the Flowering and Fruit Set. These stages are critical precursors to the next harvest. To optimize tree health and productivity during this period, implement the following cultural practices: 

Fertilization 

• Initiate fertilizer application to support flower development and fruit set 
• Adjust fertilizer quantities based on flowering intensity 
• Consider foliar applications of micronutrients to boost tree health 

Irrigation Management 

• Maintain adequate soil moisture during flowering, fruit set, and early fruit development 
• Monitor soil moisture levels regularly and adjust irrigation schedules accordingly 
• Implement deficit irrigation strategies if water resources are limited, but avoid water stress 

Pollination  

• Monitor flowering progression closely 
• Introduce honeybee hives when approximately 10% of flowers have opened 
• Consider supplemental pollination techniques in areas with insufficient natural pollinators 

Crop Load Management 

• Assess fruit set and consider early thinning of excess fruit 
• Remove small or damaged fruit to improve overall crop quality 
• Balance crop load with tree vigor to prevent alternate bearing 

Pest And Disease Control 

• Implement Avocado Thrips and Persea Mite control measures based on monitoring results 
• Be vigilant for symptoms of root rot, which is most stressful to trees in spring 
• Apply appropriate treatments if root rot is detected 
• Monitor for other seasonal pests and diseases, such as fruit spotting bug or anthracnose 

Weed Management 

• Control weeds to reduce competition for water and nutrients 
• Use mulch or cover crops to suppress weed growth and improve soil health 
• Time weed control to avoid competition with avocado flowers for pollinating insects

Orchard Floor Management 

• Maintain a clean orchard floor to facilitate harvest operations 
• Consider cover crops to improve soil structure and beneficial insect populations 
• Manage ground cover to balance ecosystem services with practical orchard management 

By implementing these practices, growers can optimize tree health and productivity during the critical spring transition period, setting the stage for a successful avocado harvest.

By Gerardo Aldunate, Agronomist, Index Fresh 

While avocado trees may appear dormant during winter, the winter season is crucial for the accumulation of carbohydrates, or energy , which supports the next growth cycle and fruit crop. Despite the apparent inactivity, both leaves and roots remain functional, and fruit continues to grow, albeit at a slower rate.

Optimizing tree conditions during this period is essential for achieving peak performance in the following spring. To ensure the best outcomes, growers should implement the following cultural practices:

Fertilization

• Review the current fertilizer plan and analyze leaf sample results 
• Develop and adjust the upcoming fertilization strategy as necessary 
• Apply mulch to conserve soil moisture and provide organic matter

Pruning

• Conduct maintenance pruning in frost-free areas to improve light penetration 
• Remove dead wood before the rainy season to prevent disease spread

Irrigation

• Adjust watering schedules to account for lower tree water demand
• Perform irrigation system maintenance to ensure efficiency 
• Implement leaching irrigations to prevent salt buildup in the soil

Frost and Rain Protection

• Inspect and service wind machines for frost protection 
• Enhance natural air circulation within the orchard
• Assess and improve water drainage to prevent waterlogging

By focusing on these key areas, avocado growers can help their trees weather the winter months and set the stage for a productive spring season.

By Gerardo Aldunate, Agronomist, Index Fresh

In October, the Index Fresh team took its show on the road, bringing experts in automated irrigation and Integrated Pest Management (IMP) to California growers. We held our annual seminar in San Luis Obispo, Ventura and Temecula, providing over 150 growers with an opportunity to learn about new tools to improve their growing practices and ultimately increase yield and revenue.

Read on for a taste of the irrigation automation presentations at Seminar 27. To learn more about Pest Control Advisor Tom Roberts’ detailed presentation on Avocado 1PM and for additional information about automated irrigation, watch the video recording at indexfresh.com/seminar/seminar-27/

Automated irrigation, why bother? “In my mind the number one reason to consider automation is to save time and money,” California avocado grower John Cornell told an audience of avocado growers at the Index Fresh Grower Seminar on Oct. 24.

Technology gains in agriculture in recent years have reduced the cost of installing and implementing automated irrigation. A number of companies offer automated systems, and the products range from relatively straightforward to highly sophisticated. What they all have in common is the ability to improve precision and reduce labor – both of which benefit the grower’s bottom-line.

Research conducted by Andre Biscaro, Irrigation and Water Resources Advisor with U.C. Cooperative Extension, demonstrates that most growers over-irrigate early in the season and under-irrigate late in the season. This trend is a product of guesswork related to how much and how often to irrigate. Sensors and automation help to reduce the guesswork and allow for application of the proper amount of water and fertigation at the proper time. As a result, stress is reduced, health improves, and yield increases.

Labor savings can be significant when irrigation is automated. By programming and remotely monitoring irrigation with a smartphone, growers can tailor timing and volume of water applications to parts of their grove with different needs. “An automated system saves a tremendous amount of time compared to having workers running around turning water off and on,” Cornell noted.

Automation doesn’t mean full time farming from your phone, but its two-way communication can prevent costs associated with some of the unpredictable aspects of farming. Cornell relies on a system that shuts down immediately when there’s a break in a line. “You’re not going to wake up surprised at 5 a.m. to find that 10,000 gallons of water have washed away,” he said.

Climatic data from weather stations can be programmed into many of the automated systems available to growers, and Biscaro pointed out that weather stations inform irrigation rates specific to climate and soil conditions across various avocado growing areas. Soil type is also taken into account to ensure that transpiration rate and water holding capacity are both factored into irrigation rates.

By assisting growers in finding the sweet spot for irrigation- not too much and not too little – automated systems conserve water and reduce fertigation costs. When the tree is provided the right amount of fertigation, wasteful fertilizer run-off becomes a non-issue.

Along with improved yield and lower costs, a major benefit of automated systems is enhanced record keeping. Abundant data is available through many of the systems on the market today, and this information, particularly when captured over time, can instruct decisions that further benefit tree health and productivity.

Technological improvements have made irrigation automation more affordable, and Cornell stressed that the benefits quickly outpace the cost. “I’m a bit of a penny pincher,” he said, “so I really do my research.”

The California Avocado Commission (CAC) has announced important changes to the assessment rate for the 2024-25 season. Here’s what you need to know:

Assessment Rate Change

The CAC Board of Directors has approved a new assessment rate of $0.005 (half a cent) per pound on all California-grown avocado varieties. NOTE: THE 2024-25 CAC ASSESSMENT IS A FIXED RATE PER POUND (not a percent of value). The 2023- 24 assessment was 2.25% of the value.

Who Needs To Pay?

All avocado producers in California are required to pay this assessment, with one exception. Growers who have produced an average of less than 10,000 pounds of avocados annually over the past three marketing years are exempt.

If you have any questions concerning the assessment for the 2024-25 crop year or the reporting and payment procedures, please contact CAC Accounting at: accountspayable@avocado.org or call (949) 341-1955.