The industry must find ways to radically reduce the cost of clonal trees, so high density planting could become feasible. Well researched canopy management techniques will be extremely critical for high density planting and high production. To be able to achieve high sustained volumes, we must learn to utilize the information generated by research. We have to understand all cultural aspects of growing avocados through well defined production research. Priority lists are generated and surveys are mailed to a select group of growers.
Most comments reflect immediate individual concerns rather than the needs of the industry.
Without a phenological model for California , for example, we will continue to irrigate and fertilize at levels that are not optimum and often even absurd and detrimental to productivity. A stand-alone breeding program without simultaneous postharvest studies, tree efficiency and requirements and compatibility studies with the range of available clonal rootstocks, is an error we cannot continue to repeat. With soaring picking costs, and insurance constraints on the harvesting of tall trees, the industry should strive to find dwarfing rootstocks and other techniques, such as interstock, to produce dwarfing trees. We are at a point, that successful completion of work done by researchers such as Dr. Litz, who we are currently funding, will give us tools to manipulate desirable qualities at the somatic level. All of the above are examples of indispensable research which must continue.