The Avocado: Botany, Production and Uses

Author Biography

Daniel Carrillo (Edited By) Dr Daniel Carrillo conducts fundamental and applied research on biological and environmental processes that affect the population dynamics and spread of plant-associated pest and beneficial arthropods in tropical/subtropical fruit crop systems. He specializes in two main areas: biological control, and the ecology and management of invasive insects and mites. Dr. Carrillo investigates factors that disrupt the beneficial activities of natural enemies and pollinators, and that hinder the development of solutions to mitigate these problems. Additionally, he studies the compatibility between biological and chemical control measures by determining the relative toxicity of pesticides to natural enemies and pollinators, and the compatibility and/or antagonism between biological control agents. Likewise, Dr. Carrillo's research focuses on multi-trophic interactions between host plants, pest arthropods and natural enemies, and how these affect the outcome of a biological control program. Lastly, he has a special interest in the ecology and management of invasive arthropods with a priority focus on vectors of plant pathogens. Bruce Schaffer (Edited By) Bruce Schaffer is a Professor of Plant Physiology at the University of Florida, Tropical Research and Education Center in Homestead, Florida, USA. He is internationally recognized for his research on ecophysiology of subtropical and tropical horticultural crops, particularly fruit crops, including avocado. In addition to the seven books and proceedings he has edited, he is author or co-author of more than 100 peer-reviewed articles in over 40 different journals plus more than 160 other publications including book chapters, technical reports, proceedings papers, and abstracts B Nigel Wolstenholme (Edited By) Nigel Wolstenholme (B.Sc. Agric. cum laude, Horticultural Science, 1960, Ph.D 1967) studied and lectured (1960 - 1998) at the University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, retiring in 1999. He became Head of the Department of Horticultural Science in 1988. Four year-long sabbaticals, two at Texas A & M University (pecan nut research), and two with co-editor Tony Whiley at Maroochy Horticultural Research Station, Queensland, Australia (avocado research), broadened his horizons. Since the mid - 1970's, research emphasized was the ecology, ecophysiology and horticultural manipulation of subtropical fruit crops for optimization of yield and fruit quality. He supervised or co-supervised 22 completed M.Sc. Agric. and 10 Ph.D candidates. Peer-reviewed scientific papers numbered ca. 60, plus 8 book chapters and 2 book co-editorships, and ca 190 industry-oriented scientific articles of various types. Amongst his prestigeous awards were the Golden Avocado Award (South African Avocado Growers' Association 1998), and Fellow of the University of Natal (1999). Anthony W Whiley (Edited By) Anthony W Wiley is an Independent Consultant with Sunshine Horticultural Services Pty Ltd in Australia.