Introduction
Avocado, also called Alligator Pear in English; Aguacate, Palta in Spanish originated in Southern Mexico but was mainly cultivated in the Rio Grande and Peru before coming to Europe and the Other American States. As early as the 1850s, farming in Avocado was already being practiced in California. One of the early Avocado farmers according to the California State Agricultural Society was Thomas J. White who grew Avocado in Los Angeles. Since then, many other farmers have joined in the plantation and cultivation of Avocado due to its profitability which has been increasing with time. However, Mexico has remained the top producer of Avocados worldwide to its superb environmental conditions especially its climate.
Environmental Conditions that enhances Avocado Production
In California, Avocados do well, especially in the mild winter areas. However, some varieties do well in cooler parts of northern California and along the Gulf Coast. Others also thrive in inland California. These are mainly the harder type of Avocados that are resistant to harsh weather conditions and diseases. California offers a perfect climatic condition for the thriving of Avocados. This is especially during the flowering process of Avocado that requires an occurrence of frost during winter, low mean temperature at the period of flowering and lastly, the occurrence of extreme temperature when the fruit is setting in. This fluctuation in temperature provides a good environment for the growth of high-quality Avocados in California. As a result of these climatic conditions, California has witnessed robust growth in the Avocado industry over the years due to the high profit realized in this sector.
Avocados are normally attacked with a variety of pests and diseases thus affecting their output. These diseases hamper the good harvest and quality production of Avocados. Some of the common diseases include Avocado Scab caused by a fungus that is characterized by spots all over the Avocado that makes the surface rough. Secondly, there is a Cercospora spot caused by the fungus Cercospora purpurea and normally spread by insects. This affects the leaves and later spread to the fruit in form of brown spots on the surface of the fruit. Another type is Anthracnose caused by a fungus known as Colletotrichum gleosporioides and is a serious type of disease that causes a wound-like structure in the surface of the Avocado. There is also Powdery Mildew caused by the fungus Oidium and mainly affects Avocado foliage. It is important to note that in California, these diseases and pests are rare phenomena thus boosting the production capacity of California farmers. In addition, there are various organizations and research centers that have been set up to tackle these eventualities thus making Avocado production in California very profitable throughout the year.
Another environmental factor that has enhanced Avocado production is the capacity of the California soil texture and climate to accommodate a variety of Avocado species. This has helped especially in avoiding the production of less resistant Avocado species which are vulnerable to pests and diseases. This has also increased the marketability of the fruit as the consumers can choose between varieties of fruits. In addition, the capacity of California soil texture to accommodate varieties of Avocado species has prompted various researches that have led to the introduction of even more species that have proved profitable to the traders. Among the species being produced in California include; 1392, 3 1, Anaheim, Bacon, Bonita, Carlsbad, Colin V33, Dd17, Dickinson, Dickey, Edranol, Esther, Avis, Ettinger, Ardith, Fuerte, Balboa, Ganter, Bl35, Frazer, Beebe, Clifton, and Gem among Others (Spangle, 11).
The spacing of Avocado trees is also a crucial point in explaining the success of Avocado production in California. Looking at roughly 25,000 ha of California Avocado plantations are developed in a 600 km Swath alongside the coast. These trees are approximately 15 years old but there has been an introduction of new orchards that are resistant to root rot to supplement the already existing trees. The new orchards replaced the less valuable orange and lemon that was planted along the coast due to the profitability of Avocados. Considering this spacing method, each Avocado tree is supplied with enough water to make it flourish beside the mediated climate at the coast and the rare occurrence of frost that provides perfect conditions for the good production of Avocado.
Irrigation has also contributed much to the success of Avocado production in California. Because Avocado trees require a substantial amount of water for their growth and the scarcity of water, California farmers have been practicing irrigation which has greatly boosted their production. In South California, farmers use water from the Colorado River and Feather River which contains a high quantity of chloride and sodium for irrigation purposes. Farmers pay as little as the US $ 0.008 to pump water from these rivers hence many farmers afford and this has led to greater production of Avocado. The most commonly used irrigation method is the soil-based method that monitors the soil moisture level and relates it to plant water use. This method is inexpensive yet very efficient in providing enough water to the plant. Another method that has boosted growth was the adoption of the evapotranspiration method (ET) with the installation of automatic weather stations.
In conclusion, it can be asserted that the environmental features of California especially its climatic conditions have worked well in promoting the Avocado industry. Not only has this increased profitability in Avocado but it has enhanced various researches on Avocado production that has led to the development of more pest-resistant species. Moreover, due to the consistent practice of irrigation, the required levels of water required to maintain the healthy growth of Avocado trees are provide thereby boosting production.
Work Cited
Avocado Irrigation in California (2009). Web.
Spangle, E. California. Cry California. California Tomorrow. Original from the University of California.2008 p 11
The University of California. Agriculture and Natural Resources; Avocados Varieties. (2009). Web.