Researchers from The University of Queensland are partaking in an international, yet intimate study of the Hass avocado. In science-speak, they’re “sequencing the genome.” Basically, what that means is they’re attempting to understand the beloved fruit’s DNA sequence.
It’s an endearing visual: a bunch of scientists in lab coats prodding and poking at a bunch of avos – but that’s not really what we’re interested in. What we’re interested in is why they’re studying the avocados.
The short of it is that scientists want to understand the fruit’s genome better because it’ll allow producers to protect crops from diseases.
That’s right – we, as a nation, may soon have an avocado abundance. Though here’s hoping that doesn’t lead to a bunch of unholy, weird inventions like the avocado infused chocolate bar.
Price drops are soon to be happening, dear friends, and I, for one, am keen as hell for the day I’m able to eat avocado for breakkie, lunch and tea.
According to The Land, one of the researcher’s, Professor Mitter, even said: “there’s a huge potential for future crop improvement and breeding that we can now tap into.”
Lead avocado grower, Russel Delroy, also makes a case for a huge price drop. Last year, he told the ABC that he forecasts a drop to about $2 a kilo in the next 5 years, as opposed to the current $4.50 to $9 a kilo we’re currently paying.
Which, according to my calculations, means that in 4 years time you could be paying 43 cents for your average, 215-gram Hass avo. It’s big news, guys. Just imagine the amount of guac you’ll be able to make.
Unlike the news about ‘avozillas’ – the giant avocados being sold by Groves Grown Tropical Fruit in QLD – this news applies to everyone.
Originally, we were excited about the production of huge avocados, it was a story with a shock factor. Soon enough, however, we realised that most of us can’t afford them (they’re $9 a pop) and will probably never have the chance to eat them (they’re exclusive to QLD).
While this sciency news doesn’t have the same shock factor, it’s important for one particular reason. Scientists are yet to sequence the final genome of the fruit but when they do they’ll be able to provide Australia’s farmers with important avo-protecting information. That’s right, Aussie farmers may be seriously helped by this research and their avocado farming productivity could increase greatly.
And, really, amongst all of the struggles our country’s rural community faces, who doesn’t love a good win for our Aussie farmers?