Technical and financial feasibility of using plastic poles for chayote production [Sechium edule (Jacq.) Swartz]

Resumen

Objective: To evaluate the technical and financial feasibility of using recycled plastic poles for chayote production.

Design/methodology/approach: A structure (pergola) was designed to produce chayote [Sechium edule (Jacq.) Swartz], size 8 mX8 m, using recycled plastic poles of 2.5 m length, a square section of 95.25 mm and 16.26 kg, using eight balances to record the biomass weight during production. A financial run of 10 years was conducted to evaluate the plastic pole and its projection for one hectare of tapanco, comparing it with wood and concrete poles.

Results: The plastic poles did not show fractures or deformations, even when an average load of 200 kg was found in the production cycle. For the financial analysis, the following were used: current interest rate, investment, and operation costs. The results indicated that the benefit/cost ratio and the internal rate of return were favorable when using plastic poles, since for each peso invested there is a recovery of $1.04, compared to $0.81 and $0.80 of wood and concrete poles, respectively; the internal rate of return was nearly 9 times the interest rate.

Limitations on study/implications: The plastic poles are sold as ornamental elements and for the installation of fences. The company does not have a certificate of resistance tests.

Findings/conclusions: Recycled plastic poles can substitute wood poles in the productive structure of chayote.