Rootstock Screening and Salinity Management in Avocado

This project will provide avocado growers with information on which rootstocks are most useful for production of avocado on saline soils. Identification of rootstocks that can be incorporated into the breeding program will eventually allow growers to use irrigation water having a higher salinity content that is currently used for avocado production. As water costs increase and growers rely increasingly on saline water for irrigation, this will permit use of higher salinity water with lesser damage to the trees and concomitant reductions in crop yield. Research on the interrelationship of tree responses to salinity management through improved irrigation practices is expected to provide fundamental information that will lead to development of integrated management practices that are critical to long term viability of the avocado industry in California.