Proper avocado canopy management allows proper sun penetration into avocado trees thus facilitating fruit development as well as facilitating tree management resulting into high yield.
Additionally, for proper canopy management either keep trees relatively small to reduce on resources required by the tree or open canopy to allow light penetration. Small and short trees are highly productive per hectare as they produce more fruits. Furthermore, early canopy management minimizes tree pruning costs
Proper management
Start by planning canopy management earlier and in fields with high plant density ensure frequent canopy management. Also retain lower branches incase orchard is subjected to heat, frost and drought to create a more protected environment and constantly prune trees in warm environments. During tree pruning ensure that the tree height does not exceed 80% of inter row planting distance thus it should also be 5m height to ease management.
Filed activities
Always minimize the size of unproductive canopy and ensure that branches are separated. Also pruning should be done during cool months to avoid vegetative regrowth. However, avoid sun burn to newly exposed fruits and tree branches. Lastly, also prune soon after harvest this helps trees to build carbohydrate reserves and also reduce competition for nutrients.
