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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 46(9)

Between-tree variation in fruit quality and fruit mineral concentrations of Hass avocados

J. R. Marques A B , P. J. Hofman A C and A. H. Wearing B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Centre for Subtropical Fruit, Agency for Food and Fibre Sciences, Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Mayers Road, Nambour, Qld 4560, Australia.

B School of Agronomy and Horticulture, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Qld 4343, Australia.

C Corresponding author. Email: peter.hofman@dpi.qld.gov.au

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 46(9) 1195-1201 https://doi.org/10.1071/EA04051
Submitted: 18 March 2004  Accepted: 9 September 2004   Published: 4 August 2006

Abstract

Inconsistent internal fruit quality in Hass avocados affects consumer confidence. To determine the influence of individual trees on fruit quality, Hass avocado fruit were harvested from adjacent trees of similar external appearance in 3 commercial orchards in 1998 and 1 orchard in 1999. The trees in each orchard were grown with similar commercial practices and in similar soil types. Within each location, there were significant (P<0.05) differences in the mean ripe fruit quality between trees with respect to fruit body rot severity (mainly anthracnose) with and without cold storage, internal disorders severity due to diffuse discolouration and vascular browning (after cold storage), days to ripen, percentage dry matter, and the percentage of the skin area with purple-black colour when ripe. These effects were also noted in the same orchard in 1999. There were significant (P<0.05) differences in fruit flesh calcium, magnesium, potassium, boron and zinc concentrations between trees. Significant (P<0.05) correlations were observed between average fruit mineral concentrations in each tree (particularly calcium, magnesium and potassium) and body rot severity, percentage dry matter and fruit mass. There was little conclusive evidence that characteristics such as the growth of the non-suberised roots or the degree of scion under- or overgrowth was involved in these tree effects; however, differences between trees with respect to other rootstock characteristics may be involved. The inconsistency of the correlations across sites and years suggested that other factors apart from tree influences could also affect the relationship between fruit minerals and fruit quality.

Additional keyword: rootstocks.


Acknowledgments

The authors thank Barbara Stubbings for technical assistance, Janet Giles for statistical advice, Rod Newell, Ron Boyle, and Charlie Eden for access to their orchards, and the Australian Avocado Growers Federation, Horticulture Australia Ltd, Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Queensland, and the University of Queensland for financial support.


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