Proc. of Second World Avocado Congress 1992 p. 571

Evaluation of New Avocado Cultivars

A. Blumenfeld, M. Elimelech, and M. Goren

Department of Fruit Trees, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel

Abstract. Profitability of the avocado industry in Israel, as well as many other countries, depends on increasing returns per input. Generally, increasing yield is the main solution. One of the most promising ways to increase yield is to develop new cultivars. In the past 15 years, over 200 cultivars of avocado were evaluated. The first step in our evaluation is selection for fruit characteristics. The second step involves selection for productivity. Except for size and time of maturation, fruit characteristics are apparently not influenced by environment, while productivity is generally affected by the environment. One of the selections, 'Iriet', has been released and is becoming a commercial cultivar in Israel. Others are under wide examination. Criteria for selection and the procedure for evaluation will be discussed.