Fodder: Fruit  Global Crop  Industrial Crop: Medicinal  Management: Standard  Other Systems: Homegarden  Other Systems: Multistrata  Staple Crop: Oil

Different forms of the plant can succeed in a range of climates, ranging from subtropical with occasional frosts to lowland and highland tropics, where it can be grown at elevations as high as 2,800 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 14 - 40°c, but can tolerate 10 - 45°c[418 ]. When dormant, the plant can survive temperatures down to about -4°c, but young growth can be severely damaged at -1°c[418 ]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 500 - 2,000mm, but tolerates 300 - 2,500mm[418 ]. Prefers a rich, neutral to alkaline soil and a position in full sun[307 ]. Succeeds on all kinds of soil[200 ]. Requires a well-drained soil, the plant is intolerant of water-logging[200 , 296 ]. West Indian rootstocks are fairly tolerant of saline conditions, though other forms are intolerant[200 ]. Prefers a pH in the range 5 - 5.8, tolerating 4.5 - 7[418 ]. Requires a position sheltered from strong winds[296 ]. Seedlings take 6- 8 years to produce fruit, whilst grafts can start fruiting in their second year[296 ]. Yields of 15 tonnes per hectare have been recorded, but averages are about half that figure[200 ]. Mature fruit can be left hanging on the tree for weeks without damage[200 ]. The three main races of Avocado are as follows. There are many named varieties of each race:- Mexican. This is the hardiest form, succeeding in subtropical climates and not well adapted to lowland tropical conditions[303 ]. It can withstand short periods when temperatures drop as low as -6°c[303 ]. The optimum temperature for growth is between 14 - 25°c[303 ]. It has the highest oil content, over 20% and up to 30%[200 ]. Guatemalan. This form is semitropical. It can withstand short periods when temperatures drop as low as -4?c[303 ]. The optimum temperature for growth is between 15 - 28°c[303 ]. It has a medium oil content generally between 10 - 20%[200 ]. West Indian. This form is wholly tropical and grows well in a lowland tropical climate[303 ]. It can grow in a temperature range of 12 - 40°c, though the optimum is between 24 - 32?c[303 ]. It has the lowest oil content, generally below 10%, down to around 3%[200 ]. Although the flowers are hermaphrodite, the male organ produces pollen when the females are not receptive and so each tree is functionally self-sterile. Therefore at least two different trees are required for pollination[296 ]. Each avocado flower opens twice. The female part ripens first, then the flower closes to open many hours later in the male stage[200 ]. In the Mexican form, this gap is more than 24 hours, from morning to the next afternoon, whilst in the Guatemalan it is less than 24 hours[200 ]. Flowering Time: Mid Spring Late Spring/Early Summer. Bloom Color: Pale Green. Spacing: 20-30 ft. (6-9 m).

Carbon Farming

• Fodder: Fruit  Fodder from fruiting plants especially trees.
• Global Crop  These crops are already grown or traded around the world. The annual value of each is more than $1 billion US Examples include coconuts, almonds, and bananas.
• Industrial Crop: Medicinal  Most pharmaceuticals are synthesized from petroleum but 25% of modern medicines are based on plants.
• Management: Standard  Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.
• Other Systems: Homegarden  Tropical multistrata agroforestry (multi-story combinations of trees, crops, domestic animals in the homestead).
• Other Systems: Multistrata  Multistrata agroforests feature multiple layers of trees often with herbaceous perennials, annual crops, and livestock.
• Staple Crop: Oil  (0-15 percent protein, 16+ percent oil). Some of these are consumed whole while others are exclusively pressed for oil. Annuals include canola, poppyseed, maize, cottonseed, sunflower, peanut. Perennials include high-oil fruits, seeds, and nuts, such as olive, coconut, avocado, oil palm, shea, pecan, and macadamia. Some perennial oil crops are consumed whole as fruits and nuts, while others are exclusively pressed for oil (and some are used fresh and for oil).