Title

The Impact of Outcrossing on Yields of ‘Hass’ Avocado

Author Info

Lauren C. Garner, University of California - RiversideFollow
Vanessa E.T.M. Ashworth, University of California - Riverside
Michael T. Clegg, University of California - Riverside
Carol J. Lovatt, University of California - Riverside

Recommended Citation

Published in Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science, Volume 133, Issue 5, September 1, 2008, pages 648-652.

NOTE: At the time of publication, the author Lauren Garner was not yet affiliated with Cal Poly.

Abstract

‘Hass’ avocado (Persea americana Mill.) is characterized by excessive flower and fruit abscission, resulting in extremely low fruit set. Low outcrossing rates might be a factor contributing to low yields. It is hypothesized that self-fertilized flowers and resulting fruit abscise at a much higher rate than fruit that are the product of outcrossing. However, significant relationships between outcrossing rates and yields have only been established in a few avocado studies. The objective of this research was to investigate the importance of outcrossing to yield in a commercial ‘Hass’ orchard containing ‘Bacon’, an effective pollinizer of ‘Hass’. Microsatellite markers were used to determine the rate of outcrossing of fruit persisting to harvest on ‘Hass’ trees. Experiments were conducted during sequential on-and off-crop years. During both years, outcrossing rates were not related to yield or alternate bearing. These results indicate that outcrossing was not the primary factor affecting flower and fruit persistence and ultimately yield in this orchard for the two sequential years of this research.

Disciplines

Plant Sciences

Copyright

2008 American Society for Horticulture Science.