In 2011, it became clear to Dr. Gary S. Bender that California avocado growers in the county were facing increasing pressure due to rising water prices, periodic drought and California’s dwindling share of water from the California River. For the average California avocado grower in San Diego County producing 5,000 lbs/ac and applying 4 ac ft/year, the set up was fiscally unsustainable unless a substantial increase in yield per acre occurred.
In response, Dr. Bender proposed a research project designed to produce the maximum amount of fruit per acre on a sustained basis. Previous research had shown that a few high-density production growers would periodically produce 20,000 – 30,000 lbs/ac, but reported problems with pruning. Dr. Bender and his research team established a goal of consistently producing a minimum of 11,000 lbs/ac in order for growers to break even.
