Choosing the Right Avocado Varieties for Indian Conditions
When selecting avocado varieties for cultivation, it’s important to match the variety with local climate conditions to ensure better yields and market returns.
- The five imported Israeli varieties fall under two categories:
- Green skin: Pinkerton, Ettinger, Reed
- Black skin: Hass, Lamb Hass
- Green-skinned avocados are more heat-tolerant.
If temperatures regularly exceed 35°C, it’s advisable to plant green skin types like Pinkerton or Reed. - Black-skinned varieties offer better market prices.
When temperatures remain under 35°C, you can opt for Hass or Lamb Hass, which have higher commercial value. - There’s no “best” variety—it depends on your region’s climate and your market goals.
However, Hass is the global leader in exports and market preference, provided your location supports it.
Region-Specific Recommendations
Different regions in India offer varied suitability for avocado types.
- Ideal for Hass cultivation: North-Eastern states and South Indian coffee estates, where the microclimate is cool and stable.
- Best suited for green skin types: Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Punjab, due to higher average temperatures.
- Keep in mind, green skins fetch lower prices in the wholesale market compared to Hass, which impacts overall profitability.
Understanding Rootstocks and Their Importance
A key component of successful avocado farming is choosing plants grafted on high-quality rootstocks.
- Israeli avocado plants are grafted on Ashdot 17, a rootstock developed after decades of research in arid and calcareous conditions.
- Many local nurseries use random seed-based rootstocks, which often lead to poor yield after 5–7 years.
- Rootstocks like Ashdot 17 offer:
- Better disease resistance
- Higher yield in alkaline or calcium-rich soils
- Long orchard lifespan—upwards of 40 years if managed well
- Other Israeli rootstocks also offer protection:
- Degania 117: drought and salinity resistance
- Tzrifin 99 and Degania 189: resistance to Verticillium Wilt
Investing in certified rootstock plants ensures a productive orchard and long-term returns.
Role of Type A and Type B Avocados in Pollination
Avocado flowers are hermaphroditic with synchronous dichogamy, meaning they don’t self-pollinate effectively.
- To achieve good fruit set, you must plant both Type A and Type B varieties.
- Hass and Pinkerton are Type A, while Ettinger is a popular Type B.
- Recommendation: Plant 11–15% Ettinger across your orchard for efficient cross-pollination.
- Ettinger is favored in Israel and Eastern Europe for its yield and fruit quality.
- Orchard layout must be planned carefully—random placement won’t work. Contact +91 6268643227 for custom layout guidance.
Essential Soil Tests Before Planting
Soil suitability is critical to long-term success in avocado farming.
- Conduct these key soil tests:
- EC (Electrical Conductivity)
- Calcium levels
- Sodium Absorption Ratio (SAR)
- Soil Texture
- pH level
- Macronutrient Profile
- Share your test results to receive tailored recommendations.
- If soil drainage is poor, consider building raised beds to avoid root damage due to waterlogging.
Recommended Planting Space for Avocados
Avocado trees need adequate spacing for canopy growth and machinery movement.
- Ideal planting grid:
- 3.5 meters between trees
- 7 meters between rows
- This setup accommodates around 165–170 plants per acre, balancing yield with ease of harvesting, spraying, and pruning.
Preparing the Field for Avocado Transplantation
Before planting, make sure the field is optimized for drainage and irrigation.
- Raised Beds: Crucial in clay-heavy or black cotton soils.
They prevent root rot by improving drainage. - Irrigation System: Set up inline drip irrigation before planting.
Brands like Netafim’s DripNet or Uniram are recommended for precision watering. - Hole Digging: Dig holes matching the bag size of the saplings—not too deep or shallow.
Pruning Techniques for Better Yields
Pruning helps light penetrate the inner canopy, enhancing fruit development.
- Prune during early stages to train tree structure.
- In mature trees, remove dense, low-hanging, or crossing branches.
- Ensure sunlight reaches deeper foliage for better photosynthesis and fruit set.
Where to Get Quality Avocado Plants
All plants are imported from Israel and raised in greenhouse quarantine as per Indian regulations.
- Plants are kept in the nursery for 1 year post-import.
- Delivered plants are 1.5 years old, a stage proven to have lower mortality and better establishment.
- Book your order at +91 6268643227. Nationwide delivery available.
Potential Profit from Avocado Farming in India
Profitability depends on variety choice and climatic compatibility.
- In Israel:
- Green skins: ~6 tonnes/acre
- Black skins: ~4.5 tonnes/acre
- Estimated pricing in Indian wholesale markets:
- Hass (black skin): ₹200/kg
- Green skins: ₹100–150/kg
- Projected earnings per acre:
- Green skins: ₹6–7 lakhs
- Black skins: ₹8–9 lakhs
These figures are conservative estimates, and real-world profits may vary with market demand and seasonal fluctuations.
