Avocado is one of the most popular foreign fruit cultivators in Bangladesh. This fruit is less useful than other fruits and is very useful for diabetics. The size of this fruit is a lot like guava or pear. Each fruit weighs about 300-600 grams. Inside the fruit are large oval seeds. The edible part is smooth like butter, light sweet taste. For the same reason it is known to many as butter fruit. There are different benefits to eating raw-ripe fruits like papaya, vegetables, mash, salads, sherbet. It is healthy to eat avocado cream instead of butter in toast, and avocado cream instead of mayonnaise in salads and sandwiches.
Origin and distribution: The origin of this fruit is Mexico and Guatemala. Later it spread to America and the Caribbean. Mexico, Chile, Indonesia, America, Colombo, Peru, Kenya, Brazil, Rwanda, China are some of the countries which produce more avocados. Currently, the cultivation of this fruit is increasing in Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Philippines, Thailand, Israel, Netherlands and India. At present 60-70 enthusiastic farmers in different districts of Bangladesh are successfully cultivating this fruit. However, these trees are made from seeds and the number of avocado trees is very low, not more than two to four. Avocado trees planted at 5 to 6 horticulture centers under DAE have started bearing fruit. Currently, many fruit enthusiasts are interested in avocado cultivation.
Nutrition and Medicinal properties: Avocado is a nutritious and medicinal fruit. It keeps the body free of sodium, sugar and cholesterol. This fruit is very rich in calories, it contains enough beneficial fats for the body, keeps the heart healthy, helps in controlling cancer and cholesterol. Fat soluble nutrients (A, D, K, E) are abundant, which act as a booster to keep the body healthy. The importance of eating avocado fruit for the health and growth of children is immense. This fruit is well known as an alternative to breast milk. As a result, it contains a lot of vitamins and minerals that are necessary for the body. It is especially rich in phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, copper and manganese. In addition to plenty of vitamin C, B-6, riboflavin, it is rich in essential fiber for the body. This fruit works to prevent muscle and bone loss in the elderly and to prevent cancer in various parts of the human body. Avocado diet prevents miscarriage of the pregnant mother, and is helpful in normal delivery. This fruit is very important for removing stress, depression, increasing appetite, ensuring good sleep and keeping the body healthy by expelling harmful substances in the form of urine and feces.
Climate and soil: This fruit is good in tropical, sub-tropical countries. Rainy, humid and hot weather in summer is more suitable for fruit cultivation. However, the fruit bears more heat, dry air and frost tolerance during flowering. At the end of winter, in February-March, 180-250 cm is more suitable for flowering and fruiting and 250-350 Celsius for fruit growth. Avocados give good yields at an altitude of 800-1200 m above sea level. This fruit is very likely to spread in the highlands of the northern districts including the hill districts of the country.
Avocados can be grown in almost all types of soils. Good yields are also found especially in red soils with drainage facilities (Barind area and Madhupur average) and clayey soils. The salinity tolerance of this fruit is less than. Soil pH level 5-6 is more suitable for cultivation. The tree does not have waterlogged tolerance. For this purpose drainage is facilitated, water level is relatively low (R3-R4), it gets sunny all day long and relatively high ground should be given priority in cultivating this fruit. The soil for avocado cultivation must be fertile and rich in organic matter.
Varieties: Hundreds of varieties of avocado fruits are cultivated in the world. Varieties are divided into three races or clans. These are: a. Mexican, b. Guatemala and c. West Indian species. Mexican fruit is small in size (250 g), the skin of the fruit is thin and smooth, resulting in high fat content (30%) and frost tolerance. The fruits of the Guatemala genus are quite large (600 g), the fruit is longer, the skin is thick and uneven. West Indian fruit is medium in size, (300-400 gm). The surface of the fruit is smooth and bright. West Indian race avocado is more suitable for cultivation in Bangladesh. Among the varieties most popular in avocado producing countries are Has, Fuarte, Bacon, Reed, Pulok, Jutano, Jan, Linda, Nabal. In the process of transplanting, new varieties are formed on seedlings like mango. However, the quality of the mother plant is not maintained, naturally the yield and fruit quality are reduced.
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