Introduction
Avocado, Persea americana, is a tropical tree fruit crop which originated in Central and South America but has wide distribution in the tropics. In Rwanda, it is grown in all the regions. The leading Province is Southern followed by Western, Eastern, Northern and the least is Kigali City. The crop is grown for local consumption and exportation. The crop is important due to its source of nutrients essential for health and a good source of income for farmers besides earning foreign currency for the country especially Hass and Fluerte avocados. Besides these, they are used in cosmetics, for example in the manufacture of facial and hair oil.
Avocado is moderately drought tolerant. An annual precipitation of 1000 -1200 mm is sufficient for avocado cultivation, with a minimum of 750 mm being essential for a reasonable crop development. Irregular rainfall distribution sometimes creates problems. Appropriate measures must be taken to preserve moisture and to reduce evaporation, for example by mulching and through weed control. Occasional rain showers during the flowering season will not harm the flowers. Avocado will grow successfully in a wide range of soil types but do not tolerate flooding or poorly drained soils. Deep, fertile, well-aerated, particularly sandy or alluvial loams with neutral or slightly acid pH values (pH 5 to 7) are desirable.
2. VARIETIES
Internationally, there are over twenty commonly grown cultivars or varieties of avocado, ranging from small light types to ones in which a single fruit can weigh one and a half kilograms. The three most common varieties in Rwanda are Hass, Fuerte and Ettinger.
2.1. HASS
Hass avocado is a cultivar of avocado with dark green-colored, bumpy skin. It was first grown and sold by amateur horticulturalist Rudolph Hass who also gave it his name. It is recognized by its oval shape, the bumpy, pebbled texture of its skin and the dark green to purple -black color indicating it's ripe and ready to eaten.
2.2. ETTINGER
Ettinger avocados are pear-shaped with smooth, thin, bright green skin, which does not peel easily, and pale green flesh. Ettinger avocados have a mild flavor and lower oil content than other varieties, and the fruits average in size. Their inner flesh, like nearly all other types, contains a large seed and cavity, which makes up ten to twenty-five percent of the fruit’s weight.
2.3. FUERTE AVOCADO
It is known by its pear-shape, medium seed, it peels easily and has a great taste and medium to large fruit, ranging from 5 to 14 oz. It has a smooth, thin green skin and creamy, pale green flesh. When it is ripe, the fruit yields to gentle pressure and the skin remains green.
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