Achieving more consistent yields of quality fruit in the Australian Avocado industry

Abstract

Irregular bearing was identified as a major issue in the Australian avocado industry. An opportunity existed to provide Australian avocado growers with the knowledge required to implement practices that would lead to a more consistent supply of good quality avocado fruit from year to year.
The target audience was Australian avocado producers, many of whom were new to growing avocados. Consultants, advisers and re-sellers were also encouraged to participate so the information could be leveraged to growers.
There were five main activities: (a) Engage Australia’s commercial avocado growers in a series of regional farm workshops where they would learn about practices that would lead to more consistent yields of high quality fruit.
(b) Encourage growers to become more observant in their orchards during the flowering, fruitset and fruit shedding time and therefore be able to implement practices to optimise fruitset and retention.
(c) Encourage growers to make use of the ‘Growing’ section of the industry’s on-line ‘Best Practice Resource’ (BPR) to get the most up-to-date information on growing avocados. Part of the strategy was to add new information such as reports and videos on a regular basis. The BPR is intended as a ‘one-stop-shop’ for the Australian avocado industry for information covering all aspects of the industry including comprehensive advice on growing the crop.
(d) Update avocado plant nutrition guidelines after a survey of practices and trends, a review of same by a panel of experts and a literature review of avocado plant research.
(e) Attend the World Avocado Congress IX in Peru in 2015 to network and find out about the latest research and also visit leading orchards in Peru and Chile on the same trip to learn about the latest developments in orchard practices. Co-organising the grower study tour in Chile attended by 12 Australian participants. Extend the information and applicable production practices to the Australian industry.