Persea Americana

Class

Dicotyledoneae

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Lauraceae

Order

Laurales

Genus

Persea

Species

American

Description

Shrub or woody plant with arboreal habit. Evergreen with globose crown and leathery leaves with elongated lamina and entire margin.

Many varieties are cultivated for their characteristic fruit (berry), oval or pyriform, with fleshy yellow-green edible mesocarp rich in lipids, particularly monounsaturated fatty acids.

It prefers loose, well-drained soil exposed to full sun. It does not tolerate climatic conditions with harsh winters and prolonged frosts.

Varietal description

Very vigorous and evergreen plant. It is characterised by high resistance and production.

curiosity and special features

The pulp (mesocarp) of the avocado fruit, when eaten at the correct stage of ripeness, is known for its high content of monounsaturated fats, particularly oleic acid, as well as minerals and vitamins.

Origin and Diffusion

Botanical species native to the range extending from central Mexico to Costa Rica, where it grows in the seasonally dry tropical biome. Commercially present today with different varieties, the most widespread of which are Antillana, Guatemalan and Mexican.

Leaf

The leaves, evergreen and alternate, have an elongated lamina with an entire margin.

Fruit/product

The fruit is an elongated cone-shaped berry, with a diameter and width of 3 to 6 cm, length of 7 to 10 cm and weight of 80 to 200 g, characterised by a medium consistency. The skin has a wrinkled texture and is non-edible. From a sensory point of view, the fruit is fresh to the taste and not very fragrant, with a fruity aroma and herbaceous flavour; the sugar content reaches 12 °Brix. The colouring is unicolour. Ripening takes place in the period between early winter and spring.

Leaf color

The leaves are leathery in colour.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 2 to 7.97 m.

Lifespan

Polyennial evergreen plant.

Suggested planting locations

Suitable as an open field plant in view of its height and developed habit.

Stem/stem

It has a woody stem with light, thick bark; the variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower has a simple, small form with an irregular corolla and solid-coloured petals. It flowers from early spring to late spring, with a flowering period of between 10 and 20 days. It has hints of honey, is unscented, with a fruity aroma. It is not particularly attractive to pollinating insects.

Growth

Medium to vigorous growing species.

Plant habit

It develops a caespitose habitus with globular foliage.

branching

The stem has medium branching.

pH

The ideal soil pH for the avocado plant is between 6.0 and 8.0.

sun exposure

A heliophilous species, for proper flowering followed by abundant production, expose the plant to full sun.

Ideal climate and temperature

The ideal temperature is between 16 and 35 °C. The vital temperature is between 8 and 40 °C.

Use

Widely appreciated, with its different cultivars, for its fruit in the field:
Agribusiness

Hardiness

Under the right environmental and cultivation conditions, it is a medium-hardy plant. It adapts well to hot summer climates.

Soil/medium

It requires loose, well-draining soil as it fears waterlogging.

Maintenance

If the required cultivation conditions are guaranteed, it is easy to grow.

cultivation tips

Some specific cultivation tips:
With too little light the plants do not flower Avoid over-watering

planting

Apply an average density of 660 plants per hectare. When planting, carefully pull the plant out of its container without damaging the roots. It is advisable to place it on a small berm, avoiding sinking the root ball completely.

pruning

Remove young (red-coloured) branches before the arrival of low temperatures to avoid fungal attacks.

Reproduction/Propagation

Vegetative propagation is by grafting.

Irrigation

Use water with low salinity. Keep the soil slightly moist free from saturated conditions with waterlogging.

Fertilization

After proper establishment in the new planting site, apply a liquid balanced fertiliser to the soil during the spring-summer period, diluted in the irrigation water. Do not overfeed.

Pet friendly

Toxic due to the presence of persin.

Edibility for humans

The fruit, if picked at the correct stage of ripeness, is edible.

Human toxicity

Consider possible allergies.

advise 1

It is important to remove young (red) branches before the arrival of low temperatures to avoid fungal attacks.