Agroclimatic Risk Zoning of Avocado (Persea americana) in the Hydrographic Basin of Paraná River III, Brazil

Nathan Felipe Da Silva Caldana,Sergio Luiz Colucci De Carvalho,Alan Carlos Martelócio,Geovanna Cristina Zaro,Pablo Ricardo Nitsche,Luiz Gustavo Batista Ferreira,Paulo Vicente Contador Zaccheo,Jorge Alberto Martins,Anderson Paulo Rudke

doi:10.3390/agriculture9120263

Abstract

Fruticulture is a prominent component of Brazilian agriculture. Studies have shown that climatic variability and its impact on the physiological development of plant species are fundamental for planning the agricultural calendar, resource conservation, and sustainable management of production. In this context, one of the first criterion for planting a crop is agroclimatic zoning, since it provides information on climate-related risks and aids decision-making and agricultural planning. The objective of this study was to carry out climatic risk zoning for avocado (Persea americana Mill.) in the basin of Paraná River III, Paraná State, Brazil. Meteorological data from 43 stations, from 1976 to 2018, were used. The climatic risk analysis was based on the requirements of the avocado for precipitation, water balance, average annual temperature, and frost tolerance. Statistical and geoprocessing techniques ensured full regional coverage of data and contributed to decision-making. The results identified favorable climatic conditions for all climatic variables in the western part of the river basin. Despite water deficits in some months, rainfall and water balance were not restrictive for avocado production in the region. Avocado tree cultivation is not recommended in the eastern part of the basin, where there is a considerable risk of frost.

Highlights

Fruticulture is an activity that makes a key contribution to the national economic development of Brazil
The hydrographic basin of Paraná River III is located in a Cfa climate, which means that it has a humid subtropical climate according to the Köppen climate classification
Care should be taken with orchard site selection, and it is important to avoid areas that are prone to frost

Summary

Introduction

Fruticulture is an activity that makes a key contribution to the national economic development of Brazil. From this perspective, the avocado (Persea americana Mill.), a fruit tree typically grown in tropical climates, stands out for its importance for sustainable agriculture, climate change, and the expansion of its cultivation below the tropics. The avocado (Persea americana Mill.), a fruit tree typically grown in tropical climates, stands out for its importance for sustainable agriculture, climate change, and the expansion of its cultivation below the tropics It belongs to the Lauraceae family and originates from the American continent. The avocado has the versatility to adapt to many agricultural production systems This ability is mainly seen in agroforestry systems because they can recover, or even increase, soil fertility and provide aggregate stability [8]. Avocadoes can be grown alongside other fruit species, optimizing land use, and can be used for shading coffee [11,12,13]

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