Agro-Climatic factors required for the correct development of pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.) cultivation

Resumen

Objective: To compare the agro-climatic factors: soil, rainfall, sunshine duration (sun-hours) and temperature existing in the municipality of Tecomán, Colima, Mexico, to some optimum values, in order to determine the development of the
MD2 pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.) plantation crop.
Design/Methodology/Approach: For the soil factors, texture and pH, data were obtained in laboratory to determine soil physical and reaction analyses. For temperature and rainfall, data were obtained from the Sistema Meteorológico Nacional (SMN), and to obtain the optimal values, different authors cited in the bibliography were considered.
Results: the soil factor presented a sandy loam texture with a pH of 7.9. From January to June and from October to December, a monthly precipitation deficit (mm) in percentage was evidenced respect that required by pineapple cultivation; and a percentage of excess in monthly precipitation (mm), from July to September. For monthly sunshine
duration, an excess between 200 and 300% of sun-hours was evidenced with respect to that required by pineapple. For minimum, maximum and average temperature, monthly variations were evidenced, but within acceptable ranges according to those determined for cultivation development.
Limitations of the study/Implications: No scientific information was available regarding pineapple cultivation evaluated at the research area.
Findings/Conclusions: It was determined that the evaluated pineapple plantation crop will be able to develop in the
production area, by adjusting monthly precipitation deficit through an irrigation system and the excess of sunshine
duration, through the use of a shade cloth.