Flower Behavior of Different Avocado Varieties Grown in Puerto Rico

Abstract

This paper presents the flower behavior of 118 varieties of avocados grown at the Isabela Experiment Substation. Knowledge of the two distinct patterns of flower behavior in avocados can be of great importance in obtaining better fruit set in the orchards since any planting should consist of a combination of several varieties to facilitate frequent cross-pollination. Flowers of avocado varieties mentioned in this study were classified as A and B types. Those in type A open in the morning as females, close at noon, stay closed for 24 hours, more or less, and open next day as males. Type-B flowers open as females in the afternoon, stay closed for 12 to 36 hours, approximately, according to variety, and then open on the subsequent morning as males. The two types complement each other, thus insuring cross pollination and making self-pollination highly improbable. The list presented of avocado varieties studied and classified as to flower behavior includes some well-known Florida and California varieties and also many local varieties which have not yet been described.