High Density Avocado Production

High density production systems in the avocado industry are a viable concept and can be used to improve productivity from a given set of resources.

This report outlines:

• The Keys to High Density Planting
• A Global Snapshot
• Building the Model: Defining the Foundation Blocks
• Building the Model: Adding in the Complexities
• An Integrated Management Model

Key recommendations that should be considered:

• Not every region is suitable. Highly invigorating environments such as those found in the tropics and warm subtropics will find it difficult to control growth without intensive management and high rates of use of PGRs.
• UHD systems may not be suitable in Australia due to machinery access issues.
• Healthy trees are the key to success, so the management of PC is critical.
• Understanding the principles of light interception and light distribution is integral to proper implementation of pruning practices.
• Future avocado production will migrate toward more horticulturally friendly Hass-like varieties, but uptake may be slow and reliant on vigorous testing in sub-regions.
• Therefore, industry leadership should be looking to be involved in the global selection of new varieties for rootstocks and scions through AVIP and implementing widespread trials.
• Uptake of HD systems may be restricted to those operations that have the management capability, and for these businesses it cannot be over emphasized thatthe success of the system is dependent on the adoption of a ‘whole of orchard management view where HD is not a bolt-on module but an integrated growing philosophy.

Figure 1. Supply vs Consumption Trends (Avocados Australia, 2017)