Field management of avocado postharvest diseases

Abstract

Strobilurin fungicides were found to be effective in controlling postharvest diseases of 'Hass' avocado. O® the three strobilurin formulations tested in the field on 'Hass', the Amistar® and Flint® fungicides were found to be superior to the Stroby ® formulation. The incidence of anthracnose was significantly reduced by 66% or 74% when Amistar® or Flint® was applied as a foliar spray. Rootstock studies conducted on 'Hass' found rootstock race had a significant impact on postharvest anthracnose susceptibility. This is the first record of such an effect for avocado. The incidence of anthracnose was on average 34-35% significantly lower for 'Hass' grafted on the Guatemalan 'Velvick' rootstock as compared with the Mexican 'Duke 6' rootstock.