- Author: Ben Faber
I've been getting calls and have gone out to see several avocado orchards in the Ventura/Santa Barbara area and the comments are that the trees look worse this year than they normally do. When I see the trees, it's clear that they don't look in the best shape. This time of year, when there are old leaves that have accumulated salt all through the irrigation period and the trees are getting ready to flower, the leaves just don't have much energy. Also, two years of drought with no rain, means that salts have probably accumulated more by this time of year, than in a year when we do have “normal” rain to leach the soil. The accumulated salts can lead to water stress which also brings on stem and leaf blight, along with salt burn. With the bicarbonates in the water, the pH may have rise as well, inducing some iron chlorosis. Compounding the leaf damage is some frost burn, which was not cold enough to kill the leaves. Any dead tissue, also makes the leaves look more ratty, because with Santa Ana winds earlier, those dead areas have often blown out, making them look like they have been nibbled on by insects. Further adding to the stress was a huge crop year that put a lot of stress on the tress. When clearing the leaves to look at roots, it has often been hard to find viable roots. All these stresses are going to make the trees more susceptible to root rot. So it's going to be necessary for growers to keep their eyes out for further disease symptoms and to be ready to treat with phosphites when the soil warms up enough for the roots to start growing again.
- Author: Ben Faber
A recent visit with Spanish researchers and packers was of interest. Virtually the whole industry uses a snapping method to harvest fruit. It is faster and often leads to fewer fruit rots than with clipping. In a past article by Reuben Hofshi in the CA Avocado Commission's AvoResearch is a review of the practices and results in various countries. It was well worth rereading:
http://www.avocadosource.com/Journals/AvoResearch/avoresearch_02_02_2002_Hofshi_Snap.pdf
- Author: Brad Hanson, UC ANR Weed Specialist
Here is an updated guide for herbicides that are registered for citrus, avocado and a few other tree crops.
- Author: Art Bliss, Avocado Grower and CAC Representative
NOTES FROM CAC MEETING
January 30, 2014
President's Report (Tom Bellamore)
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2013 crop was 2nd highest total dollar return ($ 435,000,000 with 500,000,000 lbs = $ .87 per pound average)
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Labeling initiative showing fruit was grown in California
--Staff and ad agencies feel strongly about its benefits
--Preliminary test and consumer intercepts were favorable
--Tom Bellemore and Jan DeLyser have been meeting w/ packers and several packers (Mission,
Index, WesPac) are willing to try this on a trial basis. CAC's opinion is that this becomes
more important as the market becomes more fractured with more off-shore points of origin.
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With several other Mexican states seeking entry, USDA is seeking streamlined approach to U.S. markets. CAC and APEAM jointly met with USDA to provide comments on this process.
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Polyphagus Shot-Hole Borer—CAC met w/ CDFA Secretary Karen Ross and they are proposing a “Summit” for a limited number of participants (USDA, Forest Service, EPA, Congressional delegations) to highlight the problem. Other industries haven't stepped up yet, so seeking help from CDFA to highlight this.
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Pine Tree Ranch—Open House/Field Day was held last week w/ good response from growers. Will be using this more and more as outreach, especially on cultural issues.
Industry Affairs (Ken Melban)
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Water/Metropolitan Water District
--Water cost is up 234% in 10 years.
--Currently in this drought year, the southern part of state has better supply because of
banking than northern area (San Luis Obispo/Nipomo/Arroyo Grande)
Marketing (Jan DeLyser)
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All surveys show preference for California Brand continues.
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Attributed to perception of freshness, locally grown, personal attention by grower
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The number of “heavy users” is increasing as well as total market penetration
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The importance of “California Grown” continues w/ consumers checking country of origin
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Perception of California fruit is “premium” both in the markets where CAC advertising occurs and in non-ad markets.
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Customer intercepts say Ads are memorable/likable/relevant
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This year's campaign
--This year's emphasis will be “limited season”, the “limited region capable of growing
avocados” and the longer time it takes to “hand-craft” the crop—trying to increase
perception of “premium”
--Mass ads are scheduled late-April through early-September and will be trying to support crop
when it is in the market.
--Crop size is predicted to be 280,000,000 to 300,000,000
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Global AMRIC begins this summer on voluntary basis by importers. Does not include reporting price.
Production Research (Tim Spann)
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Polyphagus Shot Hole Borer
--New finding in El Cajon which is significantly south of latest finding. Found on a golf course
with numerous sycamore tree infested. Determined by DNA to be from Taiwan rather than
the northern findings in L.A. and Orange County which seem to originate in Viet Nam and
southeast Asia
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CAC sent out Request for Proposals for rootstock breeding program. Sent out worldwide and getting interest from USDA, New Zealand, South Africa
Hass Avocado Board (Emiliano Escobedo)
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After 2 years of discussion a proposal was approved to include one representative from each producing country on the International Representation Committee. They would make recommendations and report to the HAB board who continues to make the final recommendations to the Secretary of the USDA. The composition of the HAB board remains at 7 California Growers and 5 importers.
- Author: Ben Faber
A general rule of thumb about pruning trees is that only healthy trees should be pruned. Pruning is a devitalizing practice that comes at the expense of the roots. If an avocado has root rot, make sure the tree has been treated with one of the phosphite products to get the root system healthy. A common pruning method is stumping to 3 feet and allowing regrowth to occur. A common phenomenon after stumping is that the tree puts on vigorous growth for two or three years and then collapses. All that canopy regrowth was coming from a large root system that was brought into balance with a smaller canopy. Energy is diverted from the root to fight off disease. Gradually the root system gets out of balance with a larger canopy that it can no longer support. Often when a severely impaired root system tree is pruned, it often does not have energy to push a new canopy and the tree dies. Make sure you only prune healthy trees.