Resumen

CORTEZ, Adriana; NUNEZ, María Carolina  y  RODRIGUEZ DE P, María F. Agroecological adaptability of avocado cultivation in the Aragua State, Venezuela. Bioagro [online]. 2007, vol.19, n.2, pp.85-90. ISSN 1316-3361.

ABSTRACT The ideal temperatures for avocado production are diurnal values between 25 and 30 °C and nocturnal between 15 and 20 °C. Temperatures greater than 35 °C affect the flowering and fructification. The rain must be well distributed during the year, with sufficient water availability from fruit set to harvest, but avoiding water excess during flowering. The appropriate soils are medium textured with pH between 5.5 and 6.5. Based on this information, the objective of this paper was to identify the agroecological suitable areas for avocado production in Aragua State, in the central region of Venezuela, using geographical information systems. Meteorological data from the 16 weather stations of Aragua State with a minimum period of 10-year records were used, along with the historic records of soil analysis of the zone. The analysis and generation of the maps was accomplished by using the program ArcView 3.2, applying the method of the inverse of the squared distance. By integrating the climate and soil information, the proposed adaptability was obtained with acceptable precision. From the climatic point of view, the suitable zones represent 5225 km2 of the territory, from the edaphic point of view they represent 1553 km2, but considering the whole agroecological requirements, only 523 km2 resulted well suited for avocado production in Aragua State

Palabras clave : Persea americana; climate; soil; Aragua; GIS.