Abstract

AVILAN, Luis et al. Penology of varieties and hybrids of avocado mexican race in central-north coas region of Venezuela. Agronomía Trop. [online]. 2007, vol.57, n.2, pp.89-98. ISSN 0002-192X.

The phenological behavior of cultivars and hybrids ofthe mexican race of avocado, Persea spp., was describedin a population of 26 trees older than 10 years, sowedin a tropical dry forest area located around 450 m.a.s.l*The phenology was associated to the temperature andrainfall during three production cycles between theyears 2002 to 2005. The starting, duration, and intensityof the events were established by the appearance of thecorresponding structures in each phase when it coveredaround 5% of the canopy in 30% of the trees. Thegrowing fluxes on the trees varied from 3 to 5, andtheir development were associated to the most rainfallmonths (april to november). The first growing fluxpreceded or accompanied flowering. The beginning offlowering occurred at the end of the year (septembernovember) and it was characterized by the longer periodof time (from 20 to 29 weeks) and low intensity (25 to50%) as a consequence of the thermal regime duringthe period of floral induction, this last caracterized byhigh maximum daily temperatures (30-32ºC), and lowfrequency of days with temperatures lower or equal than(<19°C). The accumulate rainfall during the period offloral induction varied between 375.8 and 567.6 mm and it was partially or totally absent during flowering.The fructification last about 4 months long. The ecological characteristics of the area where the evaluatedpopulation is localed, at 450 m.a.s.l., seems to be not adequate for the mexican avocado race.

Keywords : Persea spp; phenology; Mexican race; temperature; rain * m.a.s.l= meters above sea level.