Phenology of the ‘Hass’ avocado in the State of Mexico, Mexico

Abstract

Avocado is the third most produced crop in the State of Mexico, with 11,296 ha, where the predominant variety is ‘Hass.’ Due to a lack of knowledge about its development in different environments, its agronomic management is highly heterogeneous, since it is based on experiences in other states. The objective of this study was to analyze, describe and quantify the phenological development of ‘Hass’ avocado in three environments in the State of Mexico. The vegetative, flowering, root and fruit development of ‘Hass’ avocado was recorded during the 2011-2012 cycle. Two periods were distinguished for vegetative growth (December-April and October-November), flowering (December-February and August-October), harvest (November-February and August-October) and root growth (April-July and October-December). The vegetative growth (0.40 and 0.06 cm increase in shoot length and diameter, respectively) and root growth (36 and 24 g fresh weight and dry matter, respectively) were lower than fruit growth (70.1 mm increase in diameter) in Coatepec Harinas (temperate with andosol soil and isotherms from 14-18 °C). In contrast, the same growth measurements were higher in the localities with cambisol-luvisol soil and isotherms from 16-20 °C: Ixtapan del Oro (temperate/semi-warm, with 0.69 and 0.12 cm in shoot, and 56 and 48.8 g in root) and Temascaltepec (semi-warm, with 0.78 and 0.23 cm in shoot, and 69.3 and 31.3 g in root), but lower increases in fruit (59.4 and 56.6 mm, respectively). The phenological differences observed among environments will be useful for the technical management of the crop.