Articles
Kiwifruit production in a tropical highland of Mexico –soil and climate
Article number
1431_47
Pages
367 – 374
Language
English
Abstract
There is little information regarding kiwifruit production in the tropics.
Green and yellow-fleshed kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis) are deciduous climbing shrubs that grow well in temperate countries and blooming requires between 300 and 900 chilling hours (CH) below 4°C. In the tropical highlands during winter there are days with temperatures of about 28°C and selected kiwifruit vines originated from seeds attain 50% of natural bud burst, producing good quality fruit.
The kiwifruit orchards are at 1848 m of altitude, and close to the kiwifruit orchards at 900-1300 m of altitude coffee beans (Coffea arabica) are produced.
The objectives of this study were to show that kiwifruit would be produced in the tropics and that is an alternative to small producers with low income.
The kiwifruit vines grow on soils of volcanic origin with high levels of carbon (6.95%) and organic matter (12%), and optimum available nitrogen content (34 ppm). The bulk density was 0.81 t m‑3, and pH was 5.3. The kiwifruit orchards are not irrigated and the annual rainfall is between 2000 and 2500 mm.
The average temperature was between 12 and 14°C in the coldest months (November-February) and 15-18°C in the warmer months (March-September). According to Da Mota’s CH quantification model, this zone accumulates 443 CH. Most of the kiwifruit consumed in Mexico is imported and it is expensive for people with low economic input.
The production of selected kiwifruit vines in tropical highland conditions of Mesoamerica could initiate new business for small farmers and currently is a new strategy for farmers to diversify their diet and economy.
Kiwifruit growth information out of traditional areas of production is valuable due to the consequences of climate change.
Green and yellow-fleshed kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis) are deciduous climbing shrubs that grow well in temperate countries and blooming requires between 300 and 900 chilling hours (CH) below 4°C. In the tropical highlands during winter there are days with temperatures of about 28°C and selected kiwifruit vines originated from seeds attain 50% of natural bud burst, producing good quality fruit.
The kiwifruit orchards are at 1848 m of altitude, and close to the kiwifruit orchards at 900-1300 m of altitude coffee beans (Coffea arabica) are produced.
The objectives of this study were to show that kiwifruit would be produced in the tropics and that is an alternative to small producers with low income.
The kiwifruit vines grow on soils of volcanic origin with high levels of carbon (6.95%) and organic matter (12%), and optimum available nitrogen content (34 ppm). The bulk density was 0.81 t m‑3, and pH was 5.3. The kiwifruit orchards are not irrigated and the annual rainfall is between 2000 and 2500 mm.
The average temperature was between 12 and 14°C in the coldest months (November-February) and 15-18°C in the warmer months (March-September). According to Da Mota’s CH quantification model, this zone accumulates 443 CH. Most of the kiwifruit consumed in Mexico is imported and it is expensive for people with low economic input.
The production of selected kiwifruit vines in tropical highland conditions of Mesoamerica could initiate new business for small farmers and currently is a new strategy for farmers to diversify their diet and economy.
Kiwifruit growth information out of traditional areas of production is valuable due to the consequences of climate change.
Publication
Authors
J.D. Reina-García, J.G. Cruz-Castillo, G. Almaguer-Vargas, D. Guerra-Ramírez, Á. Castañeda-Vildozola
Keywords
new production areas, new cultivars, rural development, small farmers
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