GROWTH AND YIELD PERFORMANCE OF AVOCADO (PERSEA AMERICANA) FRUIT TREE VARIETIES AT MIDLAND AGROECOLOGY OF GUJI ZONE, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

The study was conducted at Adola Rede District, Guji Zone, in Southern Ethiopia. The objective
of this study was to identify the best adaptable and high yielding Avocado (Persea americana)
fruit tree varieties for Midland Agroecology of Guji Zone. Seedlings of grafted Avocado fruit
tree varieties were laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications.
A plot size of 10m x 6m was used for each Avocado fruit tree varieties. A plot consisted of two
rows of grafted Avocado seedlings. On each row three grafted Avocado seedlings were planted
and each plots had six grafted Avocado trees. Based on the objective of this study, vegetative
growth parameters, yield and yield components data were collected during the study time. The
results of this study revealed that, in terms of Vegetative growth parameters significant
differences (at P<0.05) was observed among avocado varieties. In terms of survival rate, the
highest survival rate was recorded from Bacon and the least one was Ettinger. The recorded stem
thickness data showed that Fuerte variety was significantly higher (at P<0.05) than the others.
The tree height data recorded revealed that the maximum and minimum tree heights were
observed in Fuerte and Nabal varieties respectively. Moreover, there was a significance (P<0.05)
difference in canopy spread among the avocado varieties was observed. Pinkerton had larger
canopy spread (4.627m) and least canopy spread was recorded on variety Nabal (1.287m).
Avocado fruit length, fruit width, and fruit weight was significantly (P<0.05) different among the
varieties. The highest fruit length was recorded from Pinkerton (7.212cm) and the lowest value
was found in Bacon (5.833cm). In terms of fruit width, the highest was obtained from Bacon
(8.333cm) and the least one was recorded from Hass variety (6.033cm). The largest Fruit weight
was obtained from Fuerte (0.285kg) and lowest fruit weight was recorded from Hass (0.111kg)
avocado. The finding of this study revealed that the average number of fruits per tree of the six
improved avocado varieties was varied statistically. Hass avocado produced a significant
maximum number of fruits per tree (382) and Pinkerton variety produced the minimum number
of fruits per tree (131). In terms of yield per plot, the maximum fruit yield per plot was obtained
from Fuerte (140 kg) and the lower number of yield per plot (110.367kg) was recorded from
Ettinger. The recorded total fruit yield per hectare of Fuerte variety was significantly higher than
the other varieties. The maximum fruit yield per hectare was obtained from Fuerte (14,372
kg/ha) and the minimum was obtained from Pinkerton (12,262kg/ha). Therefore, Fuerte, Bacon
and Hass Avocado fruit tree varieties were recommended for Avocado Producers at Midland
Agroecology of Guji Zone and for similar agroecologies