AVOCADO PRODUCTION - JICA

1 MOALF/SHEP PLUSS mallholder Horticulture Empowerment & Promotion ProjectforLocal and Up-Scaling (SHEP PLUS)Prepared by SHEP PLUS Changing Farmers Mindset from Grow and Sell to Grow to Sell Japan International Cooperation Agency Agriculture and Food AuthorityHorticultural Crops DirectoratePresented to the County & AFA (HCD) Staff in charge of the SHEP PLUS Model Farmer Groups during the FT-FaDDEAVOCADO PRODUCTIONM inistry of Agriculture, Livestock and FisheriesState Department for Crop Development & Agricultural ResearchMOALF/SHEP PLUSA vocado (Parachichi)21. Introduction: Background1-1 Photo: Victor Omari, 2019 HCDMOALF/SHEP PLUS1. Introduction: Background3 AVOCADO is a member of the Lauraceae family It is one of the most important commercial fruitsin Kenya, for both local and export markets Mature fruits in Kenya are mostly available from Mar.

2 Sep.(small volumes Oct. Feb.) It is eaten raw (ripe) and also flavors soups, ice creamand milkshakes It has high protein, several minerals(Zinc& Selenium) and Vitamins(A, C& E) AVOCADO oil is easily digestible, largely unsaturated and has low sugar contentMOALF/SHEP Common Varieties41-2 Fuerte Source: SHEP PLUSP hoto: SHEP PLUSMOALF/SHEP PLUS5 Fuerte Fuerte is one of the major varieties in export markets The tree is broad, very productiveand susceptible to both Anthracnoseand Scab Pear-shaped fruitwith medium seed Weight: 140 395 g per fruit Smooth thin green skin Skin remains greenwhen fruits are mature Creamy, pale green Common VarietiesMOALF/SHEP PLUS Hass Common Varieties Cont 6 Photo: Victor Omari, 2019, HCD1-3 MOALF/SHEP PLUS7 Hass The tree grows tall and requires cutting back Distinctive for its skin that turns from green to purplish-blackwhen fruits are mature Oval-shaped fruit with small to medium seed Easy peeling Great taste Outstanding shelf-life and shipping characteristics One of the longest harvesting Common Varieties Cont MOALF/SHEP PLUS8 Other varieties grown in Kenya are: Pinkerton Long, pear-shaped fruitwith small seed Large fruitthat weighs 225 510 g per fruit Medium thick green skinwith slight pebbling Green skin deepens in color as it ripens Excellent peeling Creamy, pale green Common Varieties Cont Pinkerton 1-4 Photo.

3 Farmanac PLUS9 Reed Round fruitwith medium seed Medium to large fruitswith the weight of 225 510 g per fruit Thick green skinwith slight pebbling Skin remains greenwhen fruits are mature Easy peeling Creamy fleshwith good Common Varieties Cont Reed 1-5 Picture: sandidon PixabayMOALF/SHEP PLUS10 Puebla Small compact fruitsresembling Hass Skin of ripe fruit is black, thin and smooth Fruit has a velvety fleshwith nutty aromaand a rich butter tasteOther varieties:Linda, Ettinger, Simmonds, Lyon, Tonnage, Zutano, Hardy, Teague : Cultivars used as rootstocksare Puebla or Local varieties Common Varieties Cont MOALF/SHEP Optimal Ecological RequirementsAltitude1,200 2,200 metresabove sea levelRainfall1,000 1,200 mm of rainfall annuallyGrowing Temperature 25 30 0 CSoils Deep, fertile well aerated, particularly sandy or alluvial loams pH range 5 711 MOALF/SHEP PLUS122.

4 G20 technologies Make sure to support farmers carry out G20 techniques for any planting of quality planting land preparation crop application of compost/ practices of seedling preparation/ seedlings from registered nurseryMOALF/SHEP PLUS132. G20 fertilizer application and effective use of of harvesting post harvest handling addition farm recordsMOALF/SHEP PLUS14 Based on the results of the soil analysis, prepare adequate compost for application The recommended rate of application is 4 tons per acrefor Composting (GHCP&PHHT20: Q4)MOALF/SHEP Land Preparation3-1 Size of Planting Hole60 cm60 cmsubsoiltopsoilPicture: SHEP PLUSP hoto: SHEP PLUSA Group Facilitator demonstrating how to prepare planting holesMOALF/SHEP Ploughing Soils should be ploughed sufficiently to eliminate debrisand clods Plough to a fine tilth Avoid field operations when it is wet to avoid soil compaction and hard pans which affect proper root development.

5 It is recommended to have the land ploughed at least 2 3 monthsbefore Land Preparation (GHCP&PHHT20: Q6)MOALF/SHEP Recommended Spacing (GHCP&PHHT20: Q10) Spacing:The usual spacing is 6-9m x 7-10m depending on growth characteristic of the individual variety and the type of soil, fertility status, agro-ecological conditions and agronomic practices Hole Size: 60 cm x 60 cm x50 cm Plant population: 44-92 trees per Basal Application (GHCP&PHHT20: Q8) During the preparation of planting holes, manure/compostand basal fertilizerare applied to allow the soils to settle and Land Preparation Cont MOALF/SHEP PLUS18 Application Method: The topsoiland the subsoil are separated Topsoil is mixed with one debe(20 kg per hole = 4 tons per acre) of well decomposed manureand 250 g ofeither Triple Super Phosphateor rock phosphatein the planting hole before Land Preparation Cont MOALF/SHEP Raising SeedlingsMake sure to buy seedlings from certified nurseries3-219 Photo: Victor Omari , HCD 2019 MOALF/SHEP Site Selection: Nearness to quality water source Good drainage Security (Animals, thieves etc.)

6 Accessibility to the road Availability of wind breaks (Casuarina, Grevillea etc.) Nursery Establishment: Prepare a seedbed of width 1 mand a desirable length by removing farm soil from the seedbed to a depth of 30 cmand refill the 30 cm depressionwith Raising Seedlings (GHCP&PHHT20: Q9)MOALF/SHEP Raising Seedlings Cont Seed Preparation: Collect seed only from healthy and vigorous mother treesand from fruits which are mature and healthyrather than from off the ground Average to large-sized seedsgenerally produces vigorous seedlings Cultivars used as rootstocksare Puebla or Local varieties , Fuerte is not resistant to Phytophthora (Duvenhage & K hne, 1997)MOALF/SHEP Seed Preparation Cont : Extracted seeds should be treated in hot water(not exceeding 50 C) for 30 minutesthen coated or dipped in a broad spectrum fungicide ( Metalaxyl) to prevent infection with Phytophthora Sowing Seeds.

7 Seeds are planted with the flat basal end pointing downwards either in nursery bedsor directly into eco-bags, about 20 cm in diameterand 30 cm Raising Seedlings Cont MOALF/SHEP TransplantingAppropriate Time: After germination(takes about 20 days), when approximately 20 cm highand having developed two pairs of leaves, the open-seeded seedlings (in nursery beds) are uprooted and transplanted into containersPreparation: Potting media:medium texture, sterilized if possible and with good drainage Raising Seedlings Cont MOALF/SHEP PLUS24 Nursery Management Nurseries should be sited away from Pineapple fields as this is a source of Phytopthora cinnamoniinfection Avoid formation of hard pans on the potted plant by regularly pricking the soil with a sharp stick Scout regularly for pests and diseases-Common Pests:Aphids, White Flies, Cut worms and leaf miners-Common Diseases: Powdery Mildew and Damping-off in case of excess Raising Seedlings Cont MOALF/SHEP Raising Seedlings Cont Photo: Gerald Holmes, California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo, (CC BY US)Grafting an AVOCADO seedlings3-3 MOALF/SHEP Grafting The rootstocks is ready for grafting 6 months after transplanting into biodegradablecontainers (6 X 9 Inches) The rootstocks are grafted using scions of desired variety 4 to 6 months later, the seedlings are ready for transplanting into the field and should be well healed and free from pests and diseasedNotes: All commercial nurseries MUST be registered and licensed by HCD & Raising Seedlings Cont MOALF/SHEP Appropriate Time.

8 Trees should be planted at the beginning of the seasonal rainfalland as soon as the rain has deeply penetrated the ground Trees planted at this time of the year have a full growing period ahead to establish themselves before the next dry season Transplanting: The potted plants are carefully removed from their eco-bagsin such a way that the soil around the roots is not TransplantingMOALF/SHEP Transplanting Cont : The plant is placed into the planting hole Topsoil mixtures filled into the hole first, followed by the subsoiland firming down Never plant an AVOCADO tree deeper than the soil levelit was in while in the eco-bag After transplanting, the leftover soil is used to build a basin around each treein order to collect water from rain or irrigation Transplants must be watered regularlyuntil they are Transplanting Cont MOALF/SHEP PLUS29 Avocadoes have large soft leaves and evaporate a lot of water in warm weather, so they need regular watering Irrigation is required incase of insufficient rainfall, especially during flowering and fruit setting In Kenya.

9 Most established AVOCADO trees are rain-fed and receive their water needs without additional irrigation The most crucial period when additional irrigation water may be required is around mid-January until April(the beginning of the long rains) Water Requirement (GHCP&PHHT20: Q12)MOALF/SHEP PLUS30 Application Methods: Apply fertilizer and manure around the tree canopyat the beginning of the rains Incorporate well in the Top-dressing (GHCP&PHHT20: Q14)Age of the tree1-3 year4-5 years6-7 years8-9 years10-14 years15 years+CAN (g)1252254506509001300 TSP (g)22545065065010001200 Muriateof Potash (g)--225450635650 FYM (kg)15153030--source: AVOCADO Cultivation, 2018 KALRO Fertilizer requirement per AVOCADO treeMOALF/SHEP Crop Management: pruning & TrainingPrune off suckers & terminal shootsPicture: SHEP PLUSS hootsShootsSuckersMOALF/SHEP PLUS32 Formative pruning is important to encourage lateral growthand multiple framework branching In order to reinforce this shaping of the tree , remove all sucker growthoriginating from below the graft union Cut back shoots or pinch out the terminal buds of shootsgrowing straight up Training involves creating a strong central shootfrom which extend spaced side branches at the desired height and the creation of a bare main trunkabout 70cm in Crop Management: pruning & TrainingMOALF/SHEP PLUS33 Notes.

10 Excessive pruning of a young treewill delay the productive phase In later years, pruning is mainly undertaken to influence the size, quality and quantity of the fruits The best time to prune is during the dormant season This is also the best moment for the frequently required rejuvenation pruning aimed at bringing declining/neglected trees back to full Crop Management: pruning & Training Cont MOALF/SHEP PLUS34 The following are the major pests of AVOCADO in codling Pests & Diseases Control: (GHCP&PHHT20: Q15 & 16) Major Pests MOALF/SHEP : False Codling MothCaterpillar (left) & adult (right) of the False Coding Moth3-53-6 Photo: TertiaGrov , Institute for Tropical and Subtropical Crops, (CC BY US)Photo: Pest and Diseases Image Library, (CC BY US)MOALF/SHEP PLUS36 Identification: Adult is a small brownish, night-flying moth Females lay eggs singly, mostly on fruit Larvae are white topinkish in colorwith brown to black headSymptoms: After emerging from the egg, the young larva tunnels into the fruit The larva feeds from inside the fruit withfrassor excrement being produced at the entrance of larval : False Codling MothMOALF/SHEP PLUS37 Control: Proper orchard sanitation Infested fruits(both on the tree and fallen) should be removed regularly(at least twice a week) and buried at least 50 cm or dump in a drum filled with water mixed with a little used oil for 1 week Use of pheromone traps (FCM PRO CAPS) : False Codling Moth Cont MOALF/SHEP : Thrips38 AVOCADO thripsDamage of Thrips on a fruit3-83-7 Photo: Jack Clark, University of California -Davis, (CC BY US)Photo: Mark S.