October 2010. Could you please assist with this avocado problem in Saint Lucia, West Indies. The fruit are almost mature when rots appear at the ends. What is the cause of this problem, and what can be done about it?

There were a number of suggestions and questions. Does the problem occur with all varieties; has the weather been out of the ordinary, for instance, heavy rain, interspersed with sunny intervals; have the fruit been allowed to stay on the tree for too long, past their maturity stage. Are there signs of fruit piercing bugs?

The anthracnose fungus, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, was also suggested as a cause.