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South African Avocado Growers’ Association Yearbook 1997. 20:63-67
What do Carbohydrate Reserves Tell us about Avocado Orchard
Management?
B N Wolstenholme
1
• A W Whiley
2
1
Department of Horticultural Science, University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg 3209
2
Maroochy Horticultural Research Station, Nambour, Queensland 4560, Australia
ABSTRACT
Carbohydrate reserves (stored mainly as starch) in tree crops represent the currently
unutilized and stored component, mainly in the trunk, branches and leaves of avocado
trees. They are the difference between manufacture (in photosynthesis) and utilization
(growth and respiration).They follow a seasonal pattern, peaking just before flowering,
declining rapidly during flowering and fruit set, remaining low until mid-summer, and
rising through autumn and winter. It has been suggested that the levels of starch
reserves at critical periods can be used in orchard management decisions.
Data are presented, mainly from delayed harvest trials in KwaZulu-Natal and
Queensland, to indicate that there is a broad relationship between starch concentration
and key aspects of tree performance, e.g. yield and root growth. However, carbohydrate
reserves are but one of many factors, potentially limiting, which affect yield, and by
themselves provide only some useful information. A far more meaningful guide to tree
performance, and an aid to management, is the pheno-physiological model of Whiley
(1994), of which the starch reserves are but one component. Avocado trees appear to
accumulate high levels of carbohydrate reserves as an adaptation to water stress and
drought.
INTRODUCTION
Carbohydrates are the first products of photosynthesis, in which carbon dioxide (CO
2
)
from the atmosphere is 'fixed', by combining with water and energy from solar radiation,
into simple sugars (chemical energy), with the liberation of oxygen. These simple
carbon (C), hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O
2
) containing molecules in turn form the carbon
skeletons for more complex carbohydrates, proteins and lipids, which collectively make
up over 90% of the dry mass of plants. Carbohydrates themselves can constitute over
65% of the dry mass of tree crops. They are 'storehouses of energy' which can be used
in respiration for synthesis, metabolism, and growth in general. Small wonder then, that
knowledge of plant carbohydrate status is a useful barometer of tree health and
performance potential.
The concept of 'carbohydrate management' of evergreen tree fruit crops has been
strongly promoted by Maroochy Horticultural Research Station in Queensland,
Australia, initially by Cull (1989). At the same time the phenological growth cycle
concept was popularized by Whiley et al. (1988), and has since been adopted by many
countries, including South Africa. In 1989, Wolstenholme and Whiley suggested
integrating the two concepts to provide greater management understanding. Whiley and
Wolstenholme (1990) elaborated on the relationship between the seasonal starch curve
(i.e. storage carbohydrates) and tree phenology (figure 1). At the time, trials on the
effect of late hanging of avocado fruit (delayed harvesting) on, inter alia, the starch
curve, were under way in both countries. The prospect of being able to define a 'critical'
starch concentration at some growth stage, as a guide to potential yield, was mooted.
A decade has now passed and much research has been conducted on the
carbohydrate economy of avocado trees. This brief review attempts to put it into
perspective from the grower's point of view. Are we at a stage where carbohydrate or
starch analyses become as routine as leaf or soil analyses, for guiding orchard
management? Will this ever be likely?
CARBOHYDRATES IN TREE CROPS: STORAGE RESERVES VS CURRENT
PHOTOSYNTHATE
Current photosynthate
Carbohydrates (CHO's) manufactured during photosynthesis can immediately be used
for growth processes, either in the (young) leaf itself, but overwhelmingly to meet the
needs of other growing organs and tissues ('sinks'). The latter requires translocation out
of the leaf, typically as (soluble) sucrose but also in avocado as the 7-carbon sugar
alcohol called perseitol. We refer to such CHO's and other metabolites as 'current
photosynthate'. Whiley (1990) and Finazzo et al. (1994) showed that individual avocado
leaves change from being nett sinks to nett sources (i.e. suppliers) of CHO when about
80% expanded, after ± 25 days for spring flush leaves while whole shoots require ca. 40
days to make the transition. Furthermore, leaves reach peak photosynthetic efficiency
while still relatively young. The ability of individual leaves or shoots to supply CHO
'energy' to nearby sinks, in particular setting and growing fruits, is obviously extremely
critical to yield, fruit size and quality. It is affected however by many variables, including
root health, nutrition, water relations, and canopy architecture and leaf position,
especially shading.
For an 'energy-expensive' (Wolstenholme, 1986) fruit such as avocado, it is evident that
a comparatively large number of well-lit leaves is needed to support the growth of a
single fruit. This figure is not shown, but certainly exceeds the more than 30 leaves per
fruit quoted by Chacko et al. (1982) for mango, or the 2.0 ± 0.5m
2
leaf area per fruit
needed for a large-sized grapefruit (Fishier et al, 1983). The question arises as to
whether avocado is 'source-limited', i.e. whether CHO supplies restrict vegetative and
reproductive development. An excellent review by Goldschmidt and Koch (1996)
provides overwhelming evidence that this is so in citrus. For example, fruit set, believed
to be limited by CHO availability in citrus, is increased 70% by C0
2
enrichment
(Downton et al, 1987). The contrary debate about 'feedback inhibition' of photosynthesis
by inter alia accumulation of unused CHO's in leaves, undoubtedly occurs in some plant
species (Goldschmidt & Huber, 1992) especially after girdling. However, it is probably
not a big factor in the avocado canopy as a whole, which is likely to be light-limited in
mature orchards. Other factors which are relevant to avocado canopy photosynthesis
are the short life of avocado leaves (10 12 months, according to Whiley and Schaff er,
1994) and the composite canopy with leaf cohorts of different age, photosynthetic
efficiency and light regime.
Stored carbohydrates
CHO's in excess of immediate requirements of the numerous competing sinks, the
largest of which comprises the fruits, are stored. It is generally accepted that the priority
('pecking order') in allocation of CHO's is developing seeds > fleshy fruit parts = shoot
apices and leaves > cambium > roots > storage. Storage can take place in leaves,
twigs, branches, trunk and roots, and we need a definitive study on avocado to quantify
these storage pools over a range of conditions, including crop load. Both concentration
and amount of CHO in particular plant parts need quantification. A useful analogy is to
liken CHO reserves (usually starch) to a bank balance, viz:
Balance = Income - Expenditure
CHO Accumulation = Gross Photosynthesis - (Growth + Respiration)
We have previously pointed out that CHO accumulation is especially significant in
perennial crops, since the excess or deficiency of one season will influence tree
performance the following season. In this respect the avocado can accumulate more
CHO's than other evergreens such as citrus, but usually not as much as deciduous
trees (Chandler, 1957). Deciduous trees are totally dependent on stored reserves (CHO
and other) for early spring growth (reproductive and vegetative), whereas evergreens
have over wintered leaves to at least partly reduce this dependence. We will see
however, that avocado trees vary in their relative dependence on stored vs current
photosynthate, and that over wintered leaves are likely to be photo-inhibited and limited
by feeder root attrition accompanying flowering (Whiley, 1994).
THE SEASONAL CARBOHYDRATE CYCLE General Pattern
The number of studies on the seasonal CHO cycle (the starch curve) in avocado trees
has increased dramatically in the past 10 years. The study of Scholefield et al. (1985) in
the cold, semi-arid interior of S.E. Australia established the general pattern of a mid-
summer low and a late winter high, with a severe decline starting with flowering and fruit
set. Furthermore, late winter peak starch concentrations (in the trunk) were related to
the following season's crop. High concentrations led to a high ('on') crop, and vice versa
for an 'off' crop. This led to interest in a possible 'starch index' system as a crop
predictor. Whiley and coworkers in Queensland initiated two detailed studies on the
consequences of late harvesting, while locally in KwaZulu-Natal similar studies were
conducted by Graham and later by Kaiser. Renewed interest in girdling as a
manipulative tool also led to various trials at Everdon Estates and at the ITSC,
Nelspruit, inter alia.
Environmental Aspects
Whiley (1994) and Whiley et al. (1996a, b) noted the importance of climate in starch
cycling in avocado trees. In semi-arid, cold winter areas such as the interior of S.E.
Australia, California and Israel, there is a distinctly wider seasonal flux in starch
reserves. Scholefield et al. (1985) noted pre-anthesis peaks of + 18% trunk starch in
S.E. Australia. In contrast, peaks of ca 8% are more likely in the humid subtropics of
Queensland and South Africa. Whiley (1994) explained this on the basis of reduced
vigour (less growth) in cold semi-arid climates, so that there was more time for CHO
build-up in autumn and winter. Furthermore, avocado trees in such environments are
semi-deciduous, with heavy leaf loss at anthesis. Obviously, such trees will be far more
dependent on stored reserves during fruit set, very similar to deciduous fruit trees.
Conversely, trees in the humid subtropics (with higher yield potential) will depend on
both current photosynthate and stored reserves during the critical fruit set period. It is
apparent that the environment markedly affects the stored reserves.
Late Harvesting Trials
In the cool, moist midlands of KwaZulu-Natal, neither Graham and Wolstenholme
(1991) or Kaiser and Wolstenholme (1993) were able to show significant yield declines
from late as compared to early harvesting of Fuerte or Hass. This was in spite of
obvious depletion of starch reserves to lower pre-anthesis peaks and subsequent spring
and early summer levels by delayed harvest (figure 2). The assumption therefore was
that the leaves 'worked harder' and photosynthates were moved more efficiently out of
them to fruits (less feedback inhibition or 'constipation' of leaves). This study also noted
that there was not a distinct differentiation into spring and summer shoot flushes in this
mesic environment.
Whiley's studies in Queensland, however, over a longer timespan and including a more
stressful locality, clearly showed that late harvesting significantly lowered yields of both
Fuerte and Hass, although the impact was reduced by harvesting half the crop early
and half late. A strong relationship (r
2
= 0,86) between July trunk starch concentration in
Hass and next season's yield was found at a relatively cool locality, but for a hot locality
the relationship was weaker (r
2
= 0,52), In Hass, where alternate bearing was already
established at the start of the trial, early harvest was insufficient to break this pattern.
For Fuerte, wood starch concentrations from trunks and bearing shoots fluctuated
seasonally in the established pattern, but could not be related to harvest treatment. It is
also noteworthy that high starch levels were accompanied by greater root growth in
avocado trees.
Although Whiley (1994) and Whiley et al. (1996b) found a significant relationship
between July starch concentration and subsequent crop in Hass trees, the reduced
yields from late harvested trees and during 'off' years could not be attributed only to
threshold concentration of starch at critical phenological stages. Crop failure was more
related to poor flowering, possibly due to inadequate root growth during floral induction.
WHILEY'S PHENO-PHYSIOLOGICAL MODEL: AN INTEGRATOR OF TREE
POTENTIAL
From our brief discussion of some research results, it is clear that the seasonal starch
cycle tells us much about the potential of an avocado tree, particularly if environmental
differences are appreciated. It would appear that the starch cycle is of greater value in
the cooler, drier Mediterranean climates, where avocado trees are less vigorous, have
lower and less predictable yields, and are semi-deciduous. However, in the humid
subtropics it was equally clear that stored reserves are less closely correlated with yield
potential, although more so in Hass than Fuerte. High yields were possible with a fairly
wide spread of peak starch concentrations at anthesis, provided that orchards are well
managed. The answer lies in the fact that in such areas stored CHO reserves are
probably less important, and current photosynthate from healthy well-lit leaves more
important in overall tree performance.
This also emphasises the concept of limiting factors. While there is a broad relationship
between stored CHO's and flowering, yield, consistency of bearing, and root growth,
there are other potentially limiting factors at critical periods such as flowering and fruit
set. Temperature, water stress and Phytophthora root rot are the most obvious, as well
as mineral deficiencies or toxicities, and they will impact not only on energy (carbon)
supply but also on plant growth substances and other metabolites. Excessive emphasis
on just one factor is dangerous, as trees are highly complex entities with feedback and
feed forward controls.
Whiley (1994) has extended his phenological growth model into a pheno-physiological
model (figures 3 and 4). This incorporates quantitative data on not just the main
phenological events, but also key physiological events. The latter includes the starch
cycle, but also factors such as leaf nitrogen and chlorophyll content, and the seasonal
rate of photosynthesis (figure 4). His study has highlighted other problem areas at key
phenological growth stages such as flowering and fruit set. These include nitrogen and
chlorophyll loss and photo-inhibition of overwintered leaves, leading to a decline in their
photosynthetic efficiency. With the accompanying severe loss of feeder roots as
flowering proceeds, the tree is placed under considerable stress at fruit set. CHO stress
is certainly part of the picture, but several other stresses will, to varying degrees
depending on conditions, impact on overall tree performance. The greater
understanding which this model gives us, permits more intelligent 'fine-tuning' of
management.
CONCLUDING REMARKS
There is no doubt about the importance of carbohydrates in the yield performance of
tree crops. Similarly, there are logical reasons for the typical seasonal starch curve, with
its pre-anthesis maximum and summer minimum. It has become clear however, at least
in healthy well-managed orchards, that the winter starch peak is not necessarily always
correlated with subsequent yield it is but one of several factors which can be limiting. At
best we can say that a high level at this time increases the chances of good flowering
and good fruit set. With poorly managed and especially Phytophthora infected orchards,
the picture of course is totally different genuine and severe CHO stress will then be
evident, even to the extent of shoot collapse and dieback. Similarly, a relatively heavy
crop load on a tree recovering from Phytophthora root rot will delay recovery, by
appropriating CHO's which could have gone into root and shoot renewal
(Wolstenholme, 1987). Girdling, in all its forms, which encourages CHO accumulation
above the girdle for shorter or longer periods, similarly alters the picture, and is a
complex topic in its own right (Davie et al., 1995; Hackney et al, 1995).
As is the case for citrus (Goldschmidt & Koch, 1996), it is highly likely that avocado
trees are in fact 'source-limited', i.e. CHO-starved, and that management should attempt
to reduce the impact by providing better conditions for whole-orchard photosynthetic
efficiency.
Why then do avocado trees accumulate 'excess' CHO reserves, usually in fact even
more than other evergreen fruit trees such as citrus under similar conditions? The
answer is that, as in citrus, a high starch level does not imply that there is a surplus of
CHO's. Fishler et al. (1983) showed in citrus that reserves continue to build up even
when the needs of the developing fruit are not fully met. If, according to Goldschmidt &
Koch (1996), the accumulation of reserve CHO's has a high priority in citrus, this is even
more so in avocado.
In discussing the reasons for the CHO accumulation in citrus trees, Goldschmidt & Koch
(1996) note that even if citrus progenitors evolved in a mesic tropical rainforest, as is
commonly believed, they have many 'xerophytic' features which adapt them to drought
stress. The same is true for the 'subtropical' avocado its origin was in a subtropical or
highland tropical rainforest, but periods of drought, especially in winter, were common.
Avocado leaves are comparatively large, short-lived, and leathery with a thick cuticle.
While they are capable of high photosynthetic rates when conditions are mesic (low
level of environmental stress), they also adapt to exeric (high stress) conditions and
adopt water conservation strategies. Like citrus trees, it seems that avocado trees
maintain a large pool of reserve CHO's as a protective measure against recurrent
droughts, even at the expense of maximizing photosynthetic gains through water
conservation priorities.
The message for the grower would appear to be that reserve CHO's are important, and
the tree will use a high percentage of its reserves to support growth and development
witness the decline of trunk starch reserves to as low as 2 or 3% in mid to late summer.
However, in our humid subtropics we should probably be equally concerned about
current photosynthate from healthy, well-lit leaves, made possible by a healthy root
system. Both the spring and summer leaf renewal flushes have important roles to play.
The challenge is to manage them to best advantage in a canopy situation for the
orchard as a whole. The Whiley pheno-physiological model is the most sophisticated
tool so far suggested to guide us in the endeavour, incorporating not just the starch
curve but other physiological factors such as nitrogen and chlorophyll concentrations,
and photosynthesis rate. A more balanced and holistic assessment of tree performance
and manipulation potential then becomes possible.
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