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2008-09 Pre-Proposal Application

CALIFORNIA AVOCADO COMMISSION
PRODUCTION RESEARCH PROGRAM

The Mission of the California avocado industry in funding research is to provide California avocado growers a means to achieve optimum profitability, now and in the future, through focused research, global collaboration, and effective communication of results.

2008 REQUEST FOR PROJECT SUGGESTIONS
The California Avocado Commission (CAC) is accepting new project suggestions to help provide growers and industry with practical applications and cost-effective practices to improve efficiency and minimize environmental impacts. Suggestions may focus on research projects (see key research area goals listed below.) Typically, project funds range from $10,000 to $60,000 (U.S.) for each year of funding.

WHO MAY APPLY
Any individual or group may submit a project suggestion. It is expected that researchers from outside California will find a local/regional cooperator in California to provide cooperative support for their research. If needed, CAC has the ability to help researchers with field work and to perhaps be their local/regional cooperator.

SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION PROCESS
New-proposal applicants first submit a two-page project suggestion to CAC. The CAC Production Research Committee (PRC), which consists of growers, representatives of institutions of higher education, and representatives of the avocado industry, will review the suggestions to determine whether they are aligned with the avocado program’s key research area goals (outlined below). The PRC will then select project suggestions to be included in the full Request for Proposals (RFP) based on project concept, impact, methodology, and feasibility.

TIMELINE

KEY RESEARCH AREA GOALS
CAC has identified research areas for special emphasis in the FY 2008-09:

• Control and biology of avocado pests. The identification of effective biological and chemical control methods, including collection and evaluation of potential natural enemies for use in an integrated pest management program, are of primary interest. The timing and method of pesticide spray application (e.g., spot vs. whole canopy sprays) to improve efficiencies and reduce costs.
• Fertilization of avocado trees, including optimal formulations, timing, application techniques and rates, and efficacy based on soil type and consideration of grove location. The effect of fertilizers on production and fruit quality.
• Irrigation and salinity management in avocado, including water management strategies designed for optimal yield, with attention being given to varying: 1) rootstocks; 2) soil types; 3) water quality; 4) environmental conditions; and 5) development of thresholds for leaching and crop coefficients under saline environments.
• Canopy management, tree density and tree architecture. Innovative techniques, including modeling, designed to improve light management, increase production and reduce harvesting costs.
• The role of endogenous and exogenous growth regulators in avocado and the evaluation of commercial growth regulators on vegetative growth, flowering, fruit set, fruit size, yield.
• Development of tolerant rootstocks and/or treatments and materials to combat avocado root rot (Phytophthora cinnamomi) and collar rot (P. citricola). Rootstock selection should be cognizant of other industry objectives including productivity, salinity tolerance, and dwarfing.
• Improving pollination of the avocado. Methods to improve the use of the honey bee or alternative pollination agents. Selection of pollinizers for improved fruit set and yield through field testing and the use of genetic markers.
• Development of new avocado varieties. Plant breeding, selection and evaluation of potential cultivars from growers and nurserymen throughout the avocado regions of the world. Selections for productivity, fruit quality, adaptation to California conditions, disease and pest tolerance, tree growth habit, market acceptance, and optimal maturity timing for market positioning.
• Innovative practices to increase efficiencies of grove operations, worker safety, food security/safety, and orchard profits.
• Improving the quality of avocado fruit at retail and the identification of points in the handling and distribution chain where a loss of quality and profits may be occurring. This may encompass one or more aspects of pre-harvest care such as fertilization practices which may affect fruit quality, harvest and post-harvest handling, or conditioning for optimum shelf quality, etc.

HOW TO APPLY
Project suggestions may not exceed two pages. Please include the following information:

• Project title, location, project duration, and project leader(s) information (name, title, affiliation, e-mail address, mailing address and telephone number.
• A simple and concise summary of the problem to be addressed. Indicate to which, if any, of the above listed industry areas of special emphasis it relates.
• Objectives of the proposed project and a description of the general approach to be used.

(Note: At this time, budget specifics are not required)

Incomplete, late, or project suggestions exceeding two pages will be returned and eliminated from consideration. While e-mailed projects suggestions are preferred, mailed copies are acceptable.

SEND PROJECT SUGGESTIONS:

Electronically to:

bbohrk@avocado.org (in Microsoft Word as an e-mail attachment)

Mailed copies to:

Attn: Dr. Guy Witney, Director of Industry Affairs,
California Avocado Commission
38 Discovery, Suite 150
Irvine, California 92618-3105