Bwa-yo - Société Audubon Haiti

106 Zaboka
Table 13.1 Characteristics of several commercial avocado varieties.
VARIETY RACE FLOWER FRUIT YIELD
TYPE & COLOR
SEASON AND SIZE
(KG)
Lui" Guatemala x Mexican hybrid A (Nov-Feb) Green 0.4-0.7 High Susceptible
Choquertc Guatemalan x W. Indies hybrid A (Nov-Feb) Green 0.7-·1.1 Medium Resistanr
Waldin W. Indies A (Sepr-Nov) Green 0.4-0.8 Medium Resisranr
Pollock W. Indies B (July-Sept) Green 0.5-1 I Low Resistant
RESISTANCE TO
AVOCADO SCAB
(Sphaceloma per.ae)
Boorh 7 or 8 Guatemalan x W. Indies hybrid B (Oct-Dec) Green OJ-0.8 High Moderately Susceptible
Monroe Guatemalan" W. lndies hybrid i-\ (lul-Sep) Green 0.5-1 I Medium Moderately Susceptible
requires the most tropical climate of the 3 races, preferring a mean annual temperature
of 24-26° C (Geilfus, 1989). It is particularly abundant in the mid-elevation mountains,
becoming more common than mango above 500 m elevation. The tree is not demanding
in specific soil requirements and produces adequately on the shallow and rocky
limestone soi Is common to the mountain slopes of Haiti (Fig. 13.2). The tree tolerates
neither salinity nor poorly drained soils. The distribution of avocado is more restricted
than that of mango in the low elevations of Haiti, because the tree is not as drought tolerant
and more importantly, it is susceptible to avocado root rot (Phytophtora cinnamon£)
that is common to wet and heavy soils (Wiltbank, 1982).
The tree often is seen in humid
perennial gardens in association with
other fruit species (mango, coconut, citrus)
and serves as shade for coffee. As a
fruit tree, the size-class distribution is
unlike those of mango and coconut, in
which mature trees dominate. The
species was found to be evenly distributed
among seedlings, young fruit-bearing,
and mature trees in the Lascahobas
area (Campbell, 1994).
Figure 13.2 P americana is well adapted to
rocky mountain slopes.
Tree Characteristics: Wild trees in the
mid-elevation mountains reach heights
of 20 m and stem diameters up to 50 cm,
sometimes with a long clean bole typical
of other timber trees in the Lauraceae.
Mature trees have a narrow or rounded
crown; they often lean and are shaped by
wind damage to the brittle branches and
trunk. The combination of the longer
clear bole for lumber and the less dense
canopy are advantages over mango, permitting
more light to reach other perennial
crops in the understory. The tree
coppices well and is allowed to regrow.