Growing California Avocados

While it is often common practice for fruit growers to apply white latex paint to the bottom 2 to 3 feet of young, newly planted trees in order to provide some protection from herbicide drift, researchers note there is little evidence to prove this practice is effective.

The UCCE’s ongoing avocado irrigation management research project aims to help develop tools and information that help growers effectively and efficiently manage their irrigation practices. As part of this effort, UCCE is conducting an Avocado Irrigation Management Survey to better understand California avocado growers’ irrigation management practices and concerns.

An Avocado Support Tool, designed to help growers optimize tree nutrition for greater yields, is available online at www.iwannagro.com. Learn more.

The University of California Integrated Pest Management department has launched an online tool to assist growers in identifying vertebrate wildlife pests.

The USDA has extended the deadline to apply for the Organic and Transitional education and Certification Program to February 4, 2022. This program provides eligible applicants with pandemic assistance to cover expenses associated with organic certification and/or transitioning to organic production during the 2020, 2021 and 2002 fiscal years.

Members of the California avocado industry can complete free food safety training, as mandated by the U.S. Federal Department of Agriculture’s new Produce Safety rule, from the comfort of their own home or business.

In November, the California Avocado Commission hosted a virtual informational meeting concerning the GEM variety. The video from the webinar is now available on the Commission’s YouTube channel.

California avocado growers received an early Thanksgiving surprise on Wednesday, November 24 when Syngenta announced their product Orondis® Fungicide had been granted full registration for use against Phytophthora root rot in California avocado groves.

A new publication entitled, “Manage Weeds on Your Farm: A Guide to Ecological Strategies” is available for free online. A print version of the publication will be available in the spring of 2022.