Nutrient management for avocado (Persea americana miller)

Achieving full yield potential of avocado plantations is of great challenge. Among the causes of poor crop yield, inadequate nutrient management is majorly considered apart from climate, cultivar, etc. The objective of the manuscript was to analyze the nutrient requirement of avocado under different growth stages and appropriate nutrient management practices for avocado. The nutrient requirement of the avocado may vary according to its seasonal growth pattern, soil conditions, cultivar type, and yield potential, etc. Therefore, synchronizing fertilizer nutrient supply on the basis of crop demand can improve fruit yield and quality, and enhance nutrient uptake, thereby reduction of nutrient losses could sustain the production system from the environmental degradation. The nutrient requirement of an avocado cultivar at different growth stages can be formulated based on periodic soil analysis, monitoring leaf nutrient concentration at different growth stages, and total nutrient removal by harvested fruits, and yield potential. Standardization of the best nutrient management practices will be useful in improving yield and quality of avocado and farm income.