The Colombian Hass avocado is one of the most highly valued fruits in international markets thanks to its flavor, texture, and quality. But to achieve successful and sustainable cultivation, farmers must pay special attention to the tree's nutrition. One of the most frequently asked questions in the field is what fertilizer to use for avocados.
In this article, you'll find a practical guide to understanding key nutrients, the best sources, and how to efficiently apply fertilizers at each stage of avocado growth.
Importance of Fertilization in Avocado Cultivation
Fertilization is the foundation for ensuring healthy, productive trees that can withstand adverse conditions. Proper nutrition:
- Favors the root and vegetative development.
- Increases the tying and filling of fruits.
- Provides firmness, caliber and longer post-harvest shelf life.
Hass avocados are particularly demanding when it comes to nutrients, so knowing which fertilizer to use for avocados is vital to achieving high yields and consistent quality.
What Fertilizer to Use for Avocado: Key Nutrients
The fertilization plan should be adapted to the tree's age, soil type, and phenological stage. In general, the essential nutrients are:
Main macronutrients
- Nitrogen (N): promotes vegetative growth and leaf formation.
- Phosphorus (P): essential in young trees for the development of strong roots.
- Potassium (K): essential for flowering, setting and fruit quality.
Secondary nutrients and micronutrients
- Calcium (Ca): provides firmness and resistance to the fruit.
- Magnesium (Mg): key to photosynthesis and chlorophyll production.
- Boron (B) and Zinc (Zn): essential in the setting and filling of fruits.
- Iron (Fe): prevents chlorosis and improves the greenness of the foliage.
Fertilizer for Newly Planted Avocado
In the early stages, phosphorus is especially important because it promotes root development. A fertilizer high in phosphorus is the best option for newly planted trees.
Practical recommendations
- Apply low, frequent doses to avoid nutrient overload.
- Maintain a balance that progressively increases nitrogen as the tree becomes established.
- Incorporate organic matter such as compost to improve soil structure.
Want to learn how to fertilize avocados? Watch this short video: “Hass avocado cultivation: fertilization with granulated fertilizer”
Foliar Fertilizer for Avocado: A Complementary Tool
Foliar fertilizer is an efficient strategy for quickly providing nutrients, especially micronutrients that the soil cannot always provide in sufficient quantities.
Advantages of foliar fertilization
- Immediate absorption: nutrients reach the leaves directly.
- Correction of specific deficiencies: ideal for zinc, iron or boron.
- Support in stressful situations: helps the tree when the soil limits absorption.
At Fruty Green, we integrate foliar fertilization as a complement to the nutrition program, prioritizing critical stages such as pre-flowering and fruit filling.
Good Practices in Avocado Fertilization
In addition to choosing which fertilizer to use for avocados, effectiveness depends on how it's applied. Some key recommendations are:
- Conduct soil and foliar analysis at least once a year to adjust dosages.
- Synchronize fertilization with the crop phases, increasing potassium during flowering and nitrogen during vegetative development.
- Use low chloride sources, as avocado is sensitive to salinity.
- Maintain a irrigation adequate, ensuring that nutrients are dissolved and transported without flooding the soil.
- Incorporate organic fertilizers, such as well-rotted manure or compost, which improve soil structure and retention.
Fruity Green and Hass Avocado Nutrition
At Fruty Green we understand that sustainability It starts in the field. Therefore, we implement nutrition programs designed based on technical analysis, combining mineral and organic fertilizers that guarantee high-quality fruit with a low environmental impact.
Our commitment to Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and responsible soil management allows us to deliver fresh, uniform Hass avocados ready to compete in the most demanding markets.
Choosing the Right Fertilizer is Sowing Quality
Determining which fertilizer to use for avocados is more than just selecting a formula; it involves developing a comprehensive plan tailored to the soil, the tree's age, and its stage of development. With proper nutrient management and the implementation of sustainable practices, farmers not only improve their productivity but also strengthen the quality and future of the avocado agroindustry.
At At Fruty Green, we follow this path to offer a product that combines flavor, nutrition and sustainability.
