Water Efficiency Archives

2022 Colombia

Surface soil water content as an indicator of Hass avocado irrigation scheduling

Authors: Erazo-Mesa, E.; Gómez, E.H.; Sánchez, A.E.

This study aims to determine whether Hass avocado irrigation can be triggered based on the surface soil water content (SSWC). To address this question, the soil water dynamics from three Hass avocado orchard plots located in Valle del Cauca (Colombia) was simulated using a model provided by Hydrus-1D software, which was calibrated through the genetic algorithm NSGA-II and validated using the soil matric potential measured at several depths at nine monitoring stations installed in the three plots.

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2013 Multiple

The water relations and irrigation requirements of avocado (persea americana mill.): a review

Authors: Carr, M.K.V.

The results of research on the water relations and irrigation need of avocado are collated and reviewed in an attempt to link fundamental studies on crop physiology to irrigation practices. Background information is given on the centre of origin (Mexico and Central America) and the three distinct ecological areas where avocados are grown commercially: (1) Cool, semi-arid climates with winter-dominant rainfall (e.g. Southern California, Chile, Israel); (2) Humid, subtropical climates with summer-dominant rainfall (e.g. eastern Australia, Mexico, South Africa); and (3) Tropical or semi-tropical climates also with summer-dominant rainfall (e.g. Brazil, Florida and Indonesia). Most of the research reported has been done in Australia, California, Israel and South Africa. There are three ecological races that are given varietal status within the species: Persea americana var. drymifolia (Mexican race), P. americana var. guatemalensis (Guatemalan race) and P. americana var. americana (Antillean, West Indian or Lowland race). Interracial crossing has taken place. This paper summarises the effects of water deficits on the development processes of the crop and then reviews plant-water relations, crop water requirements, water productivity and irrigation systems. Shoot growth in mature trees is synchronised into flushes. Flower initiation occurs in the autumn, with flowering in late winter and spring. Flowers form on the ends of the branches. A large heavily flowering tree may have over a million flowers, but only produce 200-300 fruits. Fruit load adjustment occurs by shedding during the first three to four weeks after fruit set and again in early summer. Water deficits during critical stages of fruit ontogeny have been linked to fruit disorders such as ring-neck. Reproductive growth is very resistant to water stress (compared with vegetative growth). Avocado is conventionally considered to be shallow rooted, although roots extend to depths greater than 1.5 m. The majority of feeder roots are found in the top 0.60 m of soil and root extension can continue throughout the year. Leaves develop a waxy cuticle on both surfaces, which is interrupted by stomata on the abaxial surface (350-510 mm(-2)), many of which are blocked by wax. Stomata are also present on the sepals and petals at low densities (and on young fruit). During flowering, the canopy surface area available for water loss is considerably increased. Stomatal closure is an early indicator of water stress, which together with associated changes in leaf anatomy, restricts CO2 diffusion. There have only been a few attempts to measure the actual water use of avocado trees. In Mediterranean-type climates, peak rates of water use (in summer) appear to be between 3 and 5 mm d(-1). For mature trees, the crop coefficient (K-c) is usually within the range 0.4-0.6. The best estimate of water productivity is between 1 and 2 kg fruit m(-3). Soil flooding and the resultant reduction in oxygen level can damage roots even in the absence of root rot. Avocado is particularly sensitive to salinity, notably that caused by chloride ions. Rootstocks vary in their sensitivity. Both drip and under-tree microsprinklers have been/are successfully used to irrigate avocado trees. Mulching of young trees is a recommended water conservation measure and has other benefits. A large proportion of the research reviewed has been published in the 'grey' literature as conference papers and annual reports.Sometimes, this is at the expense of reporting the science on which the recommendations are based in peer-reviewed papers. The pressures on irrigators to improve water productivity are considered.

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2002 Multiple

Water stress affects leaf anatomy, gas exchange, water relations and growth of two avocado cultivars

Authors: Chartzoulakis, K.; Patakas, A.; Kofidis, G.; Bosabalidis, A.; Nastou, A.

Two cultivars of avocado (Persea americana Mill., 'Fuerte' and 'Hass') plants, grown in 501 containers, were studied under two irrigation regimes for 6 months in order to evaluate the growth response and leaf physiological and anatomical changes induced by moderate water stress. Irrigation was applied when soil water potential reached at -0.03 and -0.5 MPa for the wet and dry treatments, respectively. Leaf anatomy changed in water-stressed leaves, which could have accounted for the decreased stomata]

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2019 Egypt

Influence of Irrigation Method and Fertilization Type on Avocado Yield and Quality

Authors: Darwish, W.M.; Elmetwalli, A.H.

This research study investigated the impact of watering method and fertilization on avocado yield and quality in newly reclaimed areas. The research attempted to choose the optimum irrigation system and fertilization type to improve avocado yield and quality. Different irrigation systems (micro-sprinkler, drip irrigation and combined approach of micro-sprinkler and drip) with different fertilization types (mineral fertilization, fertilization using fallen avocado leaves+mineral fertilization and

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2017 Mexico

Optimal Planning for Sustainable Production of Avocado in Mexico

Authors: González-Estudillo, J.C.; González-Campos, J.B.; Nápoles-Rivera, F.; Ponce-Ortega, J.M.; El-Halwagi, M.

The global avocado market has increased significantly in recent years. The state of Michoacán in Mexico is one of the largest producers of avocado in the world. The ideal climatic conditions and favorable yields have spurred an interest in growing new orchards for enhancing avocado production. Such growth has a major impact on the environment due to the land use change and the substantial use of fresh water. Therefore, there is a need for an optimal strategic planning for the avocado production

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2000 California

Long-Term Evapotranspiration from Coastal Avocado/Citrus Orchard

Authors: Grismer, M.

Very limited citrus and avocado orchard evapotranspiration data are available, and practically no published information is available considering citrus/avocado evapotranspiration ETc on steeply sloping fields in coastal climates. Often the data available are from measurements based on limited time periods, and season-to-season orchard water use variability is unknown. The objective of this project was to obtain such long-term-field ETc data. Of particular interest was determination of the monthly

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