A ZONING OF THE POTENTIAL AREAS FOR THE CULTIVATION OF TARO (Colocasia esculenta (L) SCHOTT) EN TABASCO, MEXICO Zoning of Malanga in Tabasco, Mexico
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Abstract
The taro (Colocasia esculenta (L) Schott) is a herbaceous plant that produces a highly nutritious corm, and is adapted to lowlands and highlands. Due to the climate and soil requirements, this plant is capable of being cultivated in the state of Tabasco, so the objective of the research was to analyze the productive potential of taro in the state of Tabasco, to suggest the edaphoclimatic zones with the best conditions for its use. For this, an analysis was carried out using geographic information systems QGIS 3.16.1 and Arc GIS 10.2.2, to generate spatial interpolations of edaphic and climatic variables. Through map algebra, the edaphoclimatic zoning was generated for this crop in the state. The results indicate that the edaphoclimatic conditions allow the establishment of this crop in 1 608, 565 hectares, which is equivalent to 67% of the territory of Tabasco, although the optimal surface is only 655, 632 hectares (27%). The main limitations for cultivation are mainly edaphic, rather than climatic. From the edaphic point of view, the most suitable soils are flat, deep, with loamy or clayey textures, with slightly acidic or neutral pH. The physiographic areas of the alluvial plain, river valley and hills are the optimal ones for the cultivation of taro. The unsuitable areas are found in areas with permanent flooding and close to the coast, as well as in the highest areas of the Sierra de Tabasco.