Dynamics of leaf, flower and fruit abscission in avocado cv. Hass in Antioquia, Colombia

Abstract

The amount of leaf litter produced by avocado trees cv. Hass is an important potential source of mineral resources, and quantifying its production and nature is crucial to understanding the cycling of nutrients. The main objective of this study was to quantify the production of leaf litter and fallen flowers and small fruits in avocado orchards at eight locations in three producing areas in the Department of Antioquia (west, southwest, and north). The highest leaf litter production occurred in southwest Antioquia, at Jardin (7.6 t ha-1 year-1); the east locations had similar leaf fall (4.03-3.4 t ha-1 year-1). The dry matter produced in the north was very similar in both locations. The dry matter was 2.8 t ha-1 year-1. Higher leaf litter was recorded in all locations during the driest periods. Approximately 80% of the fallen fruits had diameters less than 1 cm. The highest flower production and fall occurred in southwest Antioquia, followed by the northern region.

Phenological variations of avocado cv. Hass and their relationship with thermal time under tropical conditions

“…Hass production zones in Colombia, could be called a high Andean tropical climate with two marked rainy periods alternating with dry periods and with average temperatures with variation associated with the altitudinal profile. In addition, our results agree with those that found that the phenological development of avocado is influenced by precipitation, air humidity, altitude, and other factors in addition to air temperature [ 43 ], with specific variations at the farm level in terms of duration, appearance and overlap between phenological phases.…”

“…In tropical under rainfed conditions, the vegetative growth dynamics of avocados cv. Hass, encompassing both root, leaf, and fruit development, is intricately interlinked with the precipitation [ 43 ]. The availability of water in the soil assumes a central role in shaping the competition for resources between vegetative growth processes and fruit sets impacting avocado productivity [ 44 ].…”

Effect of harvest index and storage duration on sensory quality of Hass avocado grown in Colombia

“…Growing regions such as Antioquia have high rainfall (annual average 2500 mm) and a wide altitude range (1900-2500 meters above sea level, m.a.s.l. ), and the value chain does not establish plant breeding and orchard management practices focused on fruit quality [8,9] Thus, orchard exporters have many fruit setting periods that could introduce high heterogeneity in harvesting. Our hypothesis was that sensory quality descriptors and general quality could be affected by localities, harvest season and storage duration.…”