MINERAL LOSSES OF AVOCADO TREE RESUL TING FROM ABSCISSION OF FLOWERS, FRUITLETS AND FRUITS

Abstract

The total nutritionalloss in an avocado trae due te abscission of buds, flowers, fruiUets and fruits is relatively small. Only 25.8 kg.ha.1 N, 3.7 kg.ha.1 P and 31.0 kg.ha.1 K are found in the abscissed organs. Among the microelements Fe is lost 7 to 50 times more than the other microelements (1.40 kg.ha.I). No relationship was found between the nutrients and the previous or future yield except for phosphorous. Decrease in P level in the flowers was followed by an increase in yield the following winter. The small nutritionalloss seems to be of minor importance as a factor in avocado productivity.