Tackling Lenticel Damage in Avocados

Timing is Key: Harvest avocados with care, especially after rain or irrigation. Moisture makes the skin prone to blemishes like lenticel damage, affecting marketability.

What are Lenticels? Small pores on the avocado skin for gas exchange. When damaged, they appear as brown or black spots, reducing visual appeal (see below).

Causes of Lenticel Damage: High moisture and rough handling lead to lenticel damage. Swollen cells from excess water are fragile, prone to bruising during handling, and can worsen in cold storage.

Similar Issues in Other Crops: Avocados, mangoes, and citrus share moisture sensitivity and handling issues, leading to skin blemishes at harvest.

Prevention Strategies:

1. Gentle Handling: Train workers to handle avocados carefully to prevent rough handling that leads to bruising.

   
   

2. Harvest Timing: Avoid irrigation before harvest and if it has rained delay harvest. Select harvest timing based on lower soil moisture and the cooler parts of the day, possibly at night.

   
   

3. Storage Care: Use controlled humidity and temperature to prevent damage.

Conclusion: Avoiding lenticel damage starts on the farm at harvest. Don't wait until the fruit leaves the farm and wonder what went wrong. Micro-manage soil moisture at harvest and avoid picking wet fruit.

Image source - Hass-Avocado-Board-07-Common-Fruit-Defects.pdf