Potential areas for taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott) cultivation in Tabasco, Mexico Zoning of Malanga in Tabasco, Mexico
##plugins.themes.bootstrap3.article.main##
Keywords
Tuber crop, taro, edaphoclimatic zoning, tropical climate, tropical soils.
Resumen
Objective: To analyze the productive potential of taro in the state of Tabasco, Mexico, in order to suggest the edaphoclimatic zones with the best conditions for its use.
Design/Methodology/Approach: The 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. The edaphoclimatic zoning for this crop in the state was generated through map algebra.
Results: 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%).
Study Limitations/Implications: The main limitations for cultivation are mainly edaphic, rather than climatic.
Findings/Conclusions: 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 those with permanent flooding and close to the coast, as well as in the highest areas of the Sierra de Tabasco.