Agriculture.ph Blog

Grafted Avocado Tree

Avocado has a bright potential for development in the country and there are several reasons for this.

Firstly, the avocado can be found growing all over the country. This is due to the introduction of several varieties belonging to the three different avocado races, giving the crop a wide range of soil and climatic adaptability. At present, most of the trees are grown from seeds, thus a wide variation in plant and fruit characters exists which gives a good opportunity for selection of superior trees.

Secondly, the avocado has a long fruiting season. In the Philippines, the peak of the fruiting season is from May to September, although some trees in certain localities fruit from January to March. Therefore, a survey of existing plantings and backyard trees should be conducted in order to determine their potential range in flowering and fruiting so as to have an extended production season. Also, by planting varieties which bear fruits at different times of the year, it may be possible to have a year-round supply of avocado fruits.

Thirdly, the avocado is one of the most nutritious and versatile fruits in the world. It is the ideal fruit for the diabetic and anaemic people. It can be eaten alone, as a dessert fruit, as ice-cream flavouring, as salad fruit, as sandwich filling, as a dip or as a soup ingredient. The leaves and the seeds have several medicinal uses. If Filippinos are properly educated on the varied uses of the avocado and if they could acquire the taste for the fruit, then the avocado could be very promising for the domestic market. In addition, export markets for the fruit could be developed.

Lastly, the avocado can be propagated vegetatively with ease, and this is a plus factor in its development. In the country, grafting and shield-budding are used for large-scale propagation although it can also be propagated by marcotting and inarching.

PRESENT SITUATION OF AVOCADO CULTIVATION

Crop statistics, compiled by the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics of the Department of Agriculture showed that in 1990-1997 the Philippines had a total area of 4,753 hectares planted with avocado (Table 1). Average annual production was estimated at 45,884 tonnes. Leading producing regions of the country are the Cagayan Valley, Central Visayas, and Southern Tagalog, while the leading producing provinces are Bohol, located in Central Visayas, and Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino and Cagayan which are located in the Cagayan Valley. In terms of area planted with avocado, Bicol is the leading region, followed by Cagayan Valley and Southern Luzon. Most regions of the country, however, have low productivity since avocado is grown mostly as a backyard tree or as a component of a mixed orchard with little or no care at all.

In the Philippines, two distinct types of avocado exist, namely the green-fruited and the purple-fruited types. In other countries and notably in the USA, the green-fruited varieties are preferred. In the Philippines, however, the purple-fruited varieties are preferred by the consumers.

Table 1. Area Planted with Avocado, Number of Bearing Trees, Production and Yield by Region (mean of 1990-1997 figures)

Source: Bureau of Agricultural Statistics, Department of Agriculture (1998).

CONSTRAINTS IN AVOCADO PRODUCTION DEVELOPMENT

In the Philippines, the avocado has not yet attained the popularity enjoyed by other fruits like mango, banana and pineapple. This is due to the following limiting factors and constraints:

Social constraints

In the Philippines, the avocado is mainly used as a dessert fruit. It is often eaten with milk and sugar but never as a component of a vegetable salad as in other countries. This is because the avocado lacks the sweet or subacid flavour present in mango, banana and pineapple to which the Filipino palate has been accustomed. Furthermore, Filippinos are not aware of the varied uses and excellent nutritional value of the fruit. Therefore, advertisements and a strong promotional campaign on the different uses of the avocado should be carried out in order to change the perception and eating habits of Filippinos regarding the avocado.

Supply of certified planting materials

At present, in the Philippines there are three varieties of avocado (Parker, RCF Purple and Cepillo Green) approved by the National Seed Industry Council, a government body with the task to approve crop varieties for registration. In addition, one introduced variety (Cardinal) and five outstanding local varieties (Calma, Uno, 240, 226 and Lopena), which have been selected from seedling trees, are recommended for cultivation. However, these varieties have not been expanded widely. A major limiting factor to avocado production development in the country is the lack of certified planting material of these good varieties. Reputable fruit nurseries are scarce. Therefore, accreditation of reliable private nursery operators all over the country is needed, so as to increase the availability of high quality planting material at affordable prices.

Lack of varieties with special attributes other than eating quality

The selection of the currently available varieties was based solely on the fruit’s eating quality. Varieties with a high oil content are needed for the processing and cosmetic industries. Varieties which are resistant to root rot still have to be identified. Varieties with a long shelf-life still have to be found. Without these varieties, avocado production in the country cannot be developed to a great extent.

Lack of funds for avocado research and development

Despite its income-generating potential, the government has not given to avocado a priority status for research and development. At present, the government has given only six fruit commodities top priority for research and development. These are banana, mango, papaya, pineapple, citrus and durian. The avocado was not even included in the list of minor fruits.

Many production problems of the avocado still need to be investigated. These include aspects of varietal improvement, pests and diseases, nutrition and rootstock-scion relations. Post-harvest handling and processing of the avocado into various products have to be explored. To venture into avocado research, financial assistance from both government and private sectors is direly needed.

Inadequacy of infrastructure facilities

These are insufficient in most rural areas where avocado trees are grown. Many towns are lacking transportation facilities, farm-to-market roads and communications systems. Invariably, the existing road networks are in poor condition. In addition, not enough transportation facilities are available to bring the farm produce to the market.

Lack of adequately trained specialists and extension workers on avocado production

Most of the problems encountered by farmers in the field could be attributed to poor and ineffective transfer of production technologies. There is a need for a more effective extension service. At present, most of the field technicians cannot provide technical assistance to avocado growers since they are assigned to staple crops such as rice and corn. As a result, the level of technical knowledge of the farmers on avocado production is based solely on their own experience.

GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND PLANS FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OF AVOCADO

From 1981 up to the present, only five studies have been carried out by state universities and the Bureau of Plant Industry of the Department of Agriculture (Table 2).

Table 2. Research Projects/Studies on Avocado from 1981-1999

The very low number of research studies conducted within a span of 18 years amply demonstrates the very low priority accorded to avocado research and development. As of the moment, the government does not have any plans for avocado production development. If ever an interest on any researchable area of avocado production arises then this will have to be taken up at the initiative and at the expense of the core budget of the interested research institution. For the next five years, no funds for avocado research and development have been earmarked by the government since only banana, mango, papaya, pineapple, citrus and durian from the major fruits and lanzones, and rambutan and mangosteen from the minor fruits have been identified as the priority fruits for research and development.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the long list of limitations and constraints to avocado production development, the future of the avocado in the country looks to be bright. A plus factor is the presence of more than half a million bearing trees in the country from which outstanding selections could be made. With appropriate promotion of the avocado as one of the most nutritious fruits in the world, with a wide variety of uses, the market for the avocado would expand. In the future, improved production technology coupled with improved post-harvest and processing technology would facilitate market development of this crop. Though orchards planted with grafted trees of the best varieties are still rare in this country, it cannot be doubted that many orchards will be established in the future, if not for the export trade, at least for the production of high-quality fruit for local consumption.

How to Grow Avocado -> http://www.agripinoy.net/avocado-farming.html

Sources: Avocado Production in the Philippines – Rachel C. Sotto – University Researcher and Project Leader, Institute of Plant Breeding, University of the Philippines Los Banos, College, Laguna, Philippines

Photo Source: http://www.hort.purdue.edu