Cultural Management Library

A group of Florida researchers shared their Laurel Wilt Disease research with California avocado growers in a series of seminars in Fallbrook, Ventura and San Luis Obispo. Following are highlights from their presentations.

The use of blue gum eucalyptus as a mulch material has long been viewed as problematic because of its reputation as having lethal effects on other plants. However, a new master’s thesis indicates that blue gum is not toxic to California native species.

After a fire, it’s important to walk the grove in order to assess the varying level of damage to trees within the grove. Learn more about post-fire irrigation and pruning best practices.

Learn more about fire prevention and how to build defensible spaces in your grove that can help prevent the spread of wildfires.

Before growers implement a weed management program, it’s important to identify the weeds in order to optimize the strategies and timing of weed control measures. Learn more about common members of the Asteraceae (sunflower) plant family that are found throughout agricultural regions of California.

For California avocado growers, January is the month that groves tend to be susceptible to frost and freeze damage. As the threat of colder weather arrives, it’s important for growers to understand the mechanics of frosts and freezes, and what they can do to protect their groves from unseasonably cold conditions.

In light of California’s recent bouts with drought and excessive heat, California avocado growers should give serious consideration to using organic mulch in their groves.

According to the UC Integrated Pest Management website, avocados are particularly vulnerable to California ground squirrels and although squirrels hibernate in cold winters they tend to be active year-round in avocado growing regions. Learn more about population control methods.

For California avocado growers, it can be difficult to ascertain whether a tree is suffering from disease, pests, nutrient deficiencies or damage caused by insecticides. Herbicide injury can impact the yield, number of fruit, plant vigor and health of California avocado trees. Learn more.

Leaf analysis is a critical tool in helping California avocado growers determine whether their trees are receiving the correct levels of nutrients necessary for optimal fruit quality and yields. Learn more about leaf sampling best practices.