Thrips and Wind Scarring on GEM Avocado Fruit – A Study on Two Locations in Ventura County Funded by the California Avocado Commission First Year Report

The objectives of this study are to determine if the scarring observed on young GEM avocado fruit is caused by wind or avocado thrips feeding and to determine if wind screens, insecticide applications, or organosilicon surfactants (e.g., Silwet®) can significantly reduce the scarring of young GEM avocado fruit. This trial was set up as a Random Complete Block Designed study of four replicates to evaluate the effects of wind and Avocado Thrips (Scirtothrips perseae) feeding damage to GEM variety avocados. Two locations were chosen for this study.