What are the diseases and pests seen in avocado trees? We have tried to explain the answer to this question to you in this article. We strongly recommend that you read this article so that your efforts do not go to waste.
In recent years, the production of avocados in our country has become more and more widespread. With the increasing production amount, diseases in the gardens where avocado production is made; deterioration caused by pathogens of bacterial origin, especially fungal origin, is also observed and causes low yield and even death in the trees.
In some studies conducted in regions where avocado cultivation is carried out in the world, many economically important pathogens have been reported before and after harvest. However, there is not enough work done in our country on this issue.
What are the diseases seen in avocado trees?
The biggest problem seen in avocado trees in the world is Phytophthora root rot caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi. Unfortunately, this pathogen has started to appear in our country in recent years.
Since the actual control of the pathogen is extremely difficult and requires an integrated method of combat, the most effective solution is to prevent this pathogen from entering the garden. Bad drainage and water-holding soils increase the spread of disease-causing pathogens and the severity of disease symptoms. Therefore, according to research conducted around the world, we should always act as if there is Phytophthora sp. Factor in our garden. Otherwise, it is almost impossible to destroy it once the pathogen has entered our garden.
Other common diseases seen in avocado trees are bacterial cancer caused by other fungal pathogens; Armillaria root rot, Fusarium wilt, Rosellinia root rot, Verticillium wilt, and bacterial origin Pseudomonas syringae.
What are the pests seen in avocado trees?
The most important pests seen in avocado trees are; Mediterranean fruit fly, thrips, red spiders, shelllice, they are famous lice and various body wolves. However, it is not widely seen that these pests detected in our country invade to a degree that exceeds the threshold of economic harm. The most common pests are shellfish lice, and the necessary methods should be applied in a timely manner in consultation with a specialist agricultural engineer.
Conditions that increase disease and pests in avocado trees
In mixed planting gardens, the harmful insects that cause harm in different kinds of trees next to the avocado tree can also start feeding on avocado trees because they are in the same garden. This is the case with diseases seen in trees.
The observed diseases are mostly seen as a result of unconscious applications in the planting and production process, when the tree becomes stressed and its resistance decreases. Especially in deep planting gardens, the trunk of the tree is drowning and becomes open to pathogens. For this reason, the health of the sapling to be planted and the applications to be made after planting are of primary importance as a cultural measure to protect the avocado tree from diseases.
In the event of the detection of any of these problems, expert agricultural engineers should be consulted in the field, and effective fighting methods should be determined and a fighting method should be applied before it is too late.
One of the most basic measures to protect avocado trees from diseases is to ensure that avocado irrigation and fertilization processes are performed correctly and that the tree receives all its minerals and vitamins in a healthy way.