Integrated organic–mineral nutrient management enhances flowering, fruit retention and yield of avocado cv. TKD-1 under high-density planting in Tamil Nadu

Abstract The low and erratic productivity of avocado ( Persea americana Mill.) is primarily constrained by excessive flower and fruit abscission. In the present study, integrated organic–mineral nutrient management significantly influenced flowering behaviour and fruit-bearing efficiency of 12-year-old avocado cv. TKD-1 grown under high-density conditions in Tamil Nadu. The application of compost (25 kg tree -1 ) + 50% potassium through polyhalite and 50% phosphorus through phosphorus-rich organic manure (PROM) outperformed the other nine nutrient treatments in all flowering and fruiting efficiency attributes. In addition to producing the greatest number of determinate (93.34) and indeterminate inflorescences (407.56), the earliest flowering (25.33 days), the greatest number of flowers per inflorescence (195.34) and larger inflorescences (8.45 cm length and 13.45 cm width), this treatment also minimised flower drop (90.49%). Reduced early (59.98%) and summer fruit drop (40.02%), higher fruit set (9.51%), maximum fruit retention (24.00%) and maximum yield (352.54 kg) all demonstrated a significant improvement in fruit-bearing efficiency. Consequently, the control group's yield (109.26 kg tree -1 ) and fruit retention (14.02%) were the lowest. The combined application of organic and mineral nutrient sources improved the reproductive efficiency of avocado cv. TKD-1 under high-density orcharding by enhancing flowering synchronisation, fruit set, fruit retention and yield. However, the findings are based on a single location and one cropping season; therefore, further validation across multiple locations and seasons is required before making broader recommendations.