Identification

 

  • Both nymphs and adults can cause damage to avocado, only adults can fly.
  • Adults lay single, opalescent green, oval-shaped eggs about 2 mm long on fruit, flowers, or leaves, often in hosts other than avocado. They are hard to spot.
  • After hatching, the bugs pass through 5 nymphal stages before becoming adults.
  • The young nymphs (immature bugs) are ant-like and pink to red-brown with green markings. They have prominent antennae and button-like scent glands on the upper side of the abdomen. These scent glands are most prominent in BSB.
  • Adult bugs are brown-green, about 15 mm long, with long legs and antennae. They can be difficult to find because when disturbed, they either fly away or hide.

 

 

  • Avocados are susceptible to damage anytime from fruit set right through to harvest.
  • All varieties are attacked, especially those with thin skins. Due to their corky, pebbled and black skin, late damage is often unnoticeable in Hass until fruit is peeled or cut.
  • The bugs insert their long mouthparts into the flesh, inject toxic saliva that digests the cells, and suck out the cell contents.
  • Fruit symptoms differ according to the development stage at which they are stung.
  • As the fruit grows and expands, stress fractures occur at the sting site resulting in the development of star-shaped cracks, sunken craters, and surface lumps.
  • Damage predisposes fruit to anthracnose rots.
  • Also, fruit fly will take advantage of stings to lay their eggs.

 

Very young fruit will fall off if stung Young fruit may show sunken spots, dimples, or lumps Fruit that is about half grown and larger will secrete sap which dries to a white powder (a slightly sweet sugar called perseitol) easily washed off by rain

 

In older fruit that is still growing, cracks and craters will develop In fruit that has reached full size, ‘blind’ stings will develop which are invisible unless fruit is peeled or cut Small hard woody ‘stones’ can develop in the flesh just under the sting

 

Spotting bugs can be confused with assassin bugs and tea mosquito bugs, and their damage can look like that of fruit fly and tea mosquito bugs. Sometimes fruit fly will lay their eggs into spotting bug stings. Refer to the spotting bug poster for more information.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Panicle dieback

Severe panicle blight, or inflorescence dieback, can reduce yields from affected blocks, or even result in no harvest at all.

 

Panicle blight 2020
Figure 1. Image: grower/agronomist.

What is it? What does it look like?

Panicle blight 2020
Figure 2

The photos show the typical symptoms of panicle blight. The flower shoot is sometimes wilted, and flowers turn brown and necrotic with the dieback clearly extending down the panicle (Figures 1-3). The vegetative shoots of indeterminate inflorescences also wilt and die. The dieback is often arrested at the node (Figure 2), but occasionally extends further down the branch.

panicle blight 2020
Figure 3a
Panicle blight 2020
Figure 3b (close up)
Panicle Blight 2020
Figure 4. Image: grower/agronomist.
Panicle blight 2020
Figure 5

The skeleton of the inflorescence remains in the canopy until it is pruned out (Figures 4 and 5).

Panicle Blight 2020
Figure 6

When dieback occurs in the early stages of flowering, inflorescence elongation is prevented and a “witches broom” type symptom is observed (Figure 6).

Shoot blight affecting newly planted trees (Figures 7 and 8) has also been seen in some Australian growing regions.

Shoot Blight 2020
Figure 7. Image: Chad Simpson, EE Muir.
Shoot blight 2020
Figure 8

Extent

Researchers have received reports, photos and samples from North Queensland, south-west Western Australia, and Central Queensland

As at 2020, researchers have no reason to believe panicle blight is the result of a new or exotic pathogen that would be of biosecurity concern. It has been seen in previous years, and in orchards in New South Wales, Western Australia and New Zealand. There is potentially some degree of panicle blight in most, maybe all, orchards across all growing regions.

What causes it?

More on the potential causes of panicle blight can be found in a Spring 2020 article from Talking Avocados, prepared by Elizabeth Dann, Akila Prabhakaran, Kaylene Bransgrove. Click here to read this article online.

The research team produced an update in January 2021. Click here to read that article.

What can you do about it?

As for management strategy, maintaining optimum tree health at all times by good agronomic and Phytophthora root rot management is important. Growers should also encourage strong root growth so that trees have the necessary root systems to support the heavy demand for water at flowering.  Consider removing excessive panicles prior to full bloom, prune out the branches with dieback and maintain good orchard hygiene practices. The dieback skeletons harbour abundant spores of pathogenic fungi, which can cause new infections on fruit surfaces leading to anthracnose in mature, ripe fruit.

For newly planted blocks, minimise tree stress! Plant trees with abundant, disease-free roots, protect them from sun and wind, don’t over-water, and walk through rows to remove flower buds to favour spring and summer vegetative growth to help the young trees establish.

More information

This QAAFI science seminar was presented by the AV16007 team on 17 August 2021. (If the video does not play, it can also be found on the QAAFI website here.)

 

Information and images in this BPR article have been drawn from the Spring 2020 Talking Avocados edition article prepared by Elizabeth Dann, Akila Prabhakaran, Kaylene Bransgrove, and their January 2021 update, as part of AV16007. 

Snapshot archive

During the next three years, Applied Horticultural Research (AHR) will be funded via the Hort Innovation Avocado Fund to measure avocado fruit quality nationally at supermarkets, independent fruit stores, and specialty retailers. On this page you will find the archived reports.

 

 January 2024

  January 2023
   February 2024

 February 2023
 March 2024

  March 2023

 
April 2023

  • No reports
May 2023

  • No reports
June 2023

  • No reports
July 2023

  • No reports
August 2023
 

 

 September 2023
October 2023
 

 

  

November 2023
 

 

 December 2023


2020 – 2022 Archive:

January 2022

 January 2021

  
February 2022

 February 2021

  
March 2022

 March 2021

  
April 2022

 April 2021

  
May 2022

 May 2021

  
June 2022

 June 2021

  
July 2022

 July 2021

  
August 2022

 August 2021

  
September 2022

 September 2021

 September 2020
October 2022

 October 2021

 October 2020
November 2022

 November 2021

 November 2020
December 2022

 December 2021

 

More information

The project is delivered by Avocados Australia. Please contact AAL Strategy and Projects Consultant Anne Larard for more information: idm@avocado.org.au.

Acknowledgement

The project Monitoring avocado supply chain quality (AV22011) is managed by Avocados Australia, has been funded by Hort Innovation, using the avocado industry research and development levy, with co-investment from Avocados Australia, Applied Horticulture Research, the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and contributions from the Australian Government.

 

Retail quality – Hass

Avocado quality over time – Australian supplied Hass

The purpose of providing retail avocado quality by variety is to track trends over time, to identify improvements, and to empower the industry to adopt best practice management to improve avocado quality at retail collectively. This section explores:

  • acceptable fruit (<10% internal defects) by production region
  • unacceptable fruit damage by type (>10% internal defects) of Australian grown fruit
  • average fruit age at retail
  • number of 10-fruit samples collected by production region – average of the past 12 months – Hass.

General notes to consider when reading these graphs:

  • fruit quality is assessed once fruit ripen to stage 5 (ripe) 
  • percentage damage is calculated by weighing the damaged and undamaged flesh from each avocado
  • fruit are considered unacceptable by consumers if more than 10% of flesh is inedible due to bruises, rots etc.

 

Figure 1. Percentage acceptable fruit (<10% internal defects) – Australian-grown Hass

 

Figure 1 shows the percentage of acceptable Hass fruit sampled (that is, fruit that meets consumer requirements of less than 10% flesh damage) each month. This is an average of all Australian-grown Hass.

 

Figure 2. Acceptable fruit (<10% internal defects) by production region – average past 12 months, Hass

Figure 2 shows the average percentage of acceptable fruit by growing region for the past 12 months.

 

Figure 3. Unacceptable fruit damage by type (>10% internal defects) of Australian-grown Hass – average past 12 months

This graph shows the percentage of fruit sampled with more than 10% flesh damage, by each defect type. Average for the past 12 months.

 

Figure 4. Average fruit age at retail – Australian grown Hass

Fruit age as days from packing to purchase in-store. Average is shown by month.

 

Figure 5. Number of 10-fruit samples collected by production region – past 12 months – Hass

 

Total number of fruit samples collected at retail in the past 12 months.

 

More information

The project is delivered by Avocados Australia. Please contact AAL Strategy and Projects Consultant Anne Larard for more information: idm@avocado.org.au.

Acknowledgement

The project Monitoring avocado supply chain quality (AV22011) is managed by Avocados Australia, has been funded by Hort Innovation, using the avocado industry research and development levy, with co-investment from Avocados Australia, Applied Horticulture Research, the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and contributions from the Australian Government.

 

Retail snapshot

Monthly avocado quality – retail snapshot (Australian and imported fruit)

The purpose of the monthly snapshot of avocado quality at retail is to provide an overview of how both Australian and imported avocados have performed in terms of retail quality for the past month and empower retailers to adopt best practice throughout their supply chain including best practice retail handling and merchandising practices. This section explores:

  • acceptable fruit (<10% internal defects) by source
  • acceptable fruit (<10% internal defects), by retail location
  • fruit with >10% damage by retailer
  • ripeness stage at purchase
  • layers of fruit on retail display
  • fruit age across retailers.

General notes to consider when reading these graphs:

  • the four key retailer groups are Aldi, Coles, Woolworths and independent retail outlets
  • fruit quality is assessed once fruit ripen to stage 5 (ripe) 
  • percentage damage is calculated by weighing the damaged and undamaged flesh from each avocado
  • fruit are considered unacceptable by consumers if more than 10% of flesh is inedible due to bruises, rots etc
  • see variety-specific page (Hass / Shepard)  for total samples collected by variety/region.

 

Figure 1. Acceptable fruit (<10% internal defects) by source – average past 12 months

Read this graph (above) like a fuel gauge showing the percentage of acceptable fruit sampled (that is, fruit that meets consumer requirements of less than 10% flesh damage), by source, versus the industry target of 90%. Averages are from the past 12 months. Imported fruit has the potential to be from New Zealand or Chile.

 

Figure 2. Acceptable fruit (<10% internal defects), by retail location – March 2024

Percentage of acceptable fruit sampled (fruit with less than 10% flesh damage), in each capital city sampled this month.

 

Figure 3. Unacceptable fruit (>10% damage) by damage type and retailer group – March 2024

Percentage of fruit with more than 10% flesh damage by defect type. Retailers are purposely de-identified and represent the three major retailers, and a sample of independent retailers.

 

Figure 4. Ripeness stage at purchase – March 2024

Percentage of fruit at each stage of ripeness on the day of retail purchase. Best practice is to provide fruit at stages 3-5. Average ripeness at purchase is scored from 1-5 as defined by the Avocado Stages of Ripeness Chart:

  • Stage 1 = Hard (penetrometer >10kgf, densimeter >91)
  • Stage 2 = Pre-Conditioned/Rubbery (penetrometer 5-10kgf, densimeter 90-91)
  • Stage 3 = Breaking/Softening (penetrometer 2-5kgf, densimeter 86-89)
  • Stage 4 = Firm Ripe (penetrometer 1-2kgf, densimeter 74-85)
  • Stage 5 = Ripe (penetrometer 0.5-1kgf, densimeter 65-73).

You can find the Avocado Stages of Ripeness Chart in the Education Materials section of the BPR Library.

 

Figure 5. Layers of fruit on retail display – March 2024

Layers of fruit on the retail display, as a percentage of all of the displays sampled from this month; best practice is to display fruit in a single layer.

 

Figure 6. Fruit age across retailers – March 2024

Average fruit age, as days from packing to purchase in-store, for each retailer this month. Retailers are purposely de-identified and represent the three major retailers (Aldi, Coles and Woolworths). Tray labels are mostly unavailable at independents as fruit are displayed loose; therefore independents have been excluded.

 

More information

The project is delivered by Avocados Australia. Please contact AAL Strategy and Projects Consultant Anne Larard for more information: idm@avocado.org.au.

Acknowledgement

The project Monitoring avocado supply chain quality (AV22011) is managed by Avocados Australia, has been funded by Hort Innovation, using the avocado industry research and development levy, with co-investment from Avocados Australia, Applied Horticulture Research, the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and contributions from the Australian Government.

 

Industry snapshot

Monthly avocado quality – industry snapshot (Australian grown fruit only)

The purpose of the monthly avocado quality industry snapshot is to provide an overview of how Australian grown avocados have performed in terms of retail quality for the past month and empower the industry to adopt best practice management throughout the supply chain. This has been illustrated through the below figures examining:

  • acceptable fruit (<10% internal defects) of Australian grown fruit
  • acceptable fruit (<10% internal defects) by production region
  • unacceptable fruit damage by type (>10% internal defects) of Australian grown fruit
  • average fruit age and ripeness on retail display by retail location.

General notes to consider when reading these graphs:

  • fruit quality is assessed once fruit ripen to stage 5 (ripe) 
  • percentage damage is calculated by weighing the damaged and undamaged flesh from each avocado
  • fruit are considered unacceptable by consumers if more than 10% of flesh is inedible due to bruises, rots etc
  • see the variety-specific pages (Hass / Shepard) for total samples collected by variety/region.

 

Figure 1. Acceptable fruit (<10% internal defects) for Australian-grown fruit – March 2024

 

Read this graph (above) like a fuel gauge showing the percentage of acceptable fruit sampled (fruit that meets consumer requirements of having less than 10% flesh damage) versus the industry target of 90%. The average is from data collected in the past 12 months, and this graph only includes Australian-grown fruit.

 

Figure 2. Acceptable fruit (<10% internal defects) by production region – March 2024

Figure 2 shows the percentage of acceptable fruit by growing region this month. Coloured circles indicate sources of fruit sampled for this month, and growing regions in red and orange are below the industry target of 90% acceptable fruit.

 

Figure 3. Unacceptable fruit damage by defect type (>10% internal defects); Australian-grown fruit – March 2024

Figure 3 shows the percentage of fruit sampled with more than 10% internal defects.

Flesh damage, by each defect type. The average for the past 12 months is shown in the green columns, and the current month is in blue.

 

Figure 4. Average fruit age and ripeness on retail display by retail location – March 2024 (Australian supply only)

In Figure 4, fruit age is days from packing to purchase in-store. Average ripeness at purchase is scored from 1-5 as defined by the Avocado Stages of Ripeness Chart:

  • Stage 1 = Hard (penetrometer >10kgf, densimeter >91)
  • Stage 2 = Pre-Conditioned/Rubbery (penetrometer 5-10kgf, densimeter 90-91)
  • Stage 3 = Breaking/Softening (penetrometer 2-5kgf, densimeter 86-89)
  • Stage 4 = Firm Ripe (penetrometer 1-2kgf, densimeter 74-85)
  • Stage 5 = Ripe (penetrometer 0.5-1kgf, densimeter 65-73).

You can find the Avocado Stages of Ripeness Chart in the Education Materials section of the BPR Library.

Figure 5. Number of samples (note, 10 fruit per sample) collected by production region – March 2024

Summary of the number of samples collected this month, by production region.

 

More information

The project is delivered by Avocados Australia. Please contact AAL Strategy and Projects Consultant Anne Larard for more information: idm@avocado.org.au.

Acknowledgement

The project Monitoring avocado supply chain quality (AV22011) is managed by Avocados Australia, has been funded by Hort Innovation, using the avocado industry research and development levy, with co-investment from Avocados Australia, Applied Horticulture Research, the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and contributions from the Australian Government.

 

Retail quality

Maturity Monitoring Results

The avocado category is a vibrant and progressive one, which over the years, has thrived throughout significant production increases with almost uninterrupted market growth. Meeting consumer quality expectations remains a key driver to increasing consumption and overall growth for the avocado category into the future.

During the next three years, Avocados Australia in partnership with Applied Horticultural Research (AHR) will be funded via the Hort Innovation Avocado Fund to measure avocado fruit quality nationally at supermarkets, independent fruit stores, and specialty retailers.

Near-weekly assessments of avocado quality will be conducted at retailers in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. There will be 600 separate quality assessments made each year between 2023 and 2026.

Samples of 10 fruit per supplier are purchased from supermarkets, independent fruit stores and specialty retailers. Where possible, fruit source is recorded based on fruit labels, and tray labels where fruit are displayed in their original tray.

Fruit quality is assessed once fruit reach stage 5 (ripe). Fruit are cut, and percentage damage is calculated by weighing the damaged and undamaged flesh from each avocado.

Fruit are considered acceptable to consumers if less than 10% of flesh is damaged by disorders such as bruising, rots, flesh discolouration and vascular browning.

Results from this program will help avocado suppliers and retailers identify quality improvement opportunities in real-time, as well as providing an objective measure of how well the avocado industry is tracking on their mission to improve the consumer eating experience of avocados.

More information

The project is delivered by Avocados Australia. Please contact AAL Strategy and Projects Consultant Anne Larard for more information: idm@avocado.org.au.

Acknowledgement

The project Monitoring avocado supply chain quality (AV22011) is managed by Avocados Australia, has been funded by Hort Innovation, using the avocado industry research and development levy, with co-investment from Avocados Australia, Applied Horticulture Research, the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and contributions from the Australian Government.

 

 

“What if?” spreadsheet

Making management changes (e.g. irrigation, nutrition etc) in your orchard will impact your yield, fruit size and quality at harvest, but what if you looked at it the other way around?

What if you looked at how yield, fruit size/quality and packouts could change your profit results and make adjustments to your orchard management to make this a reality?

The “What if?” spreadsheet created by the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for the Australian avocado industry looks at the differences in profit when fruit is moved around in size and quality grades.

Click here to access the “What if?” spreadsheet and start making changes today.

Disaster Management

Sometimes, the worst can happen and growers will need to prepare for, or recover from natural disasters.

 

 

 

  • Click here for more on preparing for and recovery from bushfires
  • Click here for more on recovery from hail
  • Click here for more on managing avocado orchards affected by wet weather

Maximum residue limits

All fruit you export must be compliant with the maximum residue limits for your target countries, and you must monitor the residue levels in the fruit you are sourcing for export markets to ensure compliance.

Avocados Australia has produced an Avocado Maximum Residue Limit (MRLs) app. The app provides members of the industry with the means to search the Maximum Residue Limits (MRL) for avocados by active constituent or by export market. The app’s layout is cleverly structured and designed for ease of use. The content contained in the MRL app is updated on a weekly basis.

Access the Avocados Australia MRLs APP

Download the app on your mobile phone or device (search for “Avocados Australia MRL”), once installed open it and click on “Register”, fill in the online form. AAL will then process your registration and once finalised you will recieve a confirmation by email.

On Android devices the app is available for download from the Play Store:

On Apple devices the app can be downloaded from the App Store.

If you have any questions about the Avocados Australia MRLs App please direct them to our Admin team, via admin2@avocado.org.au or call 07 3846 6566.

The Avocados Australia MRLs App was designed and developed by the AWRI, AAL and ATGA, with funding via the Agriculture Victoria “Horticulture Innovation Fund”.

 

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