African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6786

Full Length Research Paper

Agro-climatic zoning for citriculture in the Agreste region of Pernambuco State, Brazil

Marcio Salu Pereira
  • Marcio Salu Pereira
  • Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, 52171-900 Recife City, Pernambuco State, Brazil.
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Tonny Jose Araujo da Silva
  • Tonny Jose Araujo da Silva
  • Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology, Federal University of Mato Grosso, 78740375 Rondonopolis City, Mato Grosso State, Brazil.
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Enio Farias de Franca e Silva
  • Enio Farias de Franca e Silva
  • Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, 52171-900 Recife City, Pernambuco State, Brazil.
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Edna Maria Bonfim-Silva
  • Edna Maria Bonfim-Silva
  • Technology, Federal University of Mato Grosso, 78740375 Rondonopolis City, Mato Grosso State, Brazil.
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Alessana Franciele Schlichting
  • Alessana Franciele Schlichting
  • Technology, Federal University of Mato Grosso, 78740375 Rondonopolis City, Mato Grosso State, Brazil.
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Renata Bachin Mazzini-Guedes
  • Renata Bachin Mazzini-Guedes
  • Technology, Federal University of Mato Grosso, 78740375 Rondonopolis City, Mato Grosso State, Brazil.
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  •  Received: 14 August 2014
  •  Accepted: 26 April 2015
  •  Published: 18 June 2015

Abstract

The objective of this study was to accomplish an agro-climatic zoning for the Agreste region of Pernambuco State, Brazil, with the aim to identify agro-climatic zones for citrus cultivation. Monthly climatic data of 100 stations from over 20-year observation series (1911 to 1990) were selected within and close to the study area. From climatic data of mean air temperature and rainfall, we calculated the climatic water balances using available water capacity (AWC) of 50 and 100 mm. From data of both potential and estimated actual evapotranspiration, agro-climatic zones were established in agreement with the Water Requirement Satisfaction Index (WRSI). According to our study, the annual temperature variation in the Agreste mesoregion of Pernambuco State, with minimum temperature of 16.4°C and maximum of 33.4°C, is not a limiting factor for citrus production. Fifty municipalities in the region are located in the favorable agro-climatic zone for citrus cultivation, what represents an area of 12,000 km2 yet to be explored since less than 0.5% of it is being cultivated. Other 16 municipalities are located in the intermediate zone, with moderate risk, while five of them are in the adverse zone, presenting high climatic risk and water deficit.

 

Key words: Citrus production, temperature, water balance, orange, tropical region.

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This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

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