Characterization of Avocado Improved Creole Varieties of Nuevo León, México

Abstract

The avocado is native to central and eastern Mexico, and the highlands of Guatemala. Three races of avocado are recognized: the Mexican race (Persea americana var. drymifolia), the Guatemalan race (Persea americana var. guatemaltensis) and the Antillean race (Persea americana var. americana). The state of Nuevo León is part of the primary center of origin for P. americana var. drymifolia, where the varieties used have been selected by the producers based on their production, quality and size of the fruit. These cultivars are grafted trees with genotypes of interest called “Improved Creole Varieties”. In this study, some characteristics of a group of these varieties are presented. Collection of the fruits for their characterization was carried out in commercial Creole avocado orchards under irrigation conditions in the municipalities of Aramberri and Zaragoza in the southern region and in Sabinas Hidalgo and Bustamante in the northern region of the state of Nuevo León. A duplicate sample of ripe avocado fruits of ten genotypes was evaluated. The following characteristics of ripe fruits were determined: total oil content, fruit and seed weight, fruit shape, skin and pulp color when ripe, skin appearance and texture, etc. A great diversity was detected in the characteristics evaluated in the improved native varieties of avocado, highlighting the importance in its preservation and use of the diversity of Creole avocados cultivated in Nuevo León. Key words: diversity, oil content, fruit weight