Physical characterization of soil profiles from the main avocado (Persea americana Mill) producing areas in Ecuador

Paúl Mejía-Bonilla; Jorge Merino; Julio  Moreno; Pablo Gaona; Michelle Noboa; Pablo Viteri; William  Viera; Juan Carlos  Escobar; Chang  Hwan Park

doi:10.51431/par.v6i2.971

Autores/as

Paúl Mejía-Bonilla Fruit Growing Program, National Institute of Agricultural Research INIAP. Tumbaco, Ecuador http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6772-8608
Jorge Merino Fruit Growing Program, National Institute of Agricultural Research INIAP. Tumbaco, Ecuador http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5632-2194
Julio Moreno Department of Soil and Water, Santa Catalina Experimental Station, National Institute of Agricultural Research INIAP. Mejia, Ecuador https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3372-0787
Pablo Gaona Department of Soil and Water, Santa Catalina Experimental Station, National Institute of Agricultural Research INIAP. Mejia, Ecuador http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0606-5855
Michelle Noboa KOPIA Center. Quito, Ecuador https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2497-4702
Pablo Viteri Fruit Growing Program, National Institute of Agricultural Research INIAP. Tumbaco, Ecuador http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3119-5798
William Viera Fruit Growing Program, National Institute of Agricultural Research INIAP. Tumbaco, Ecuador http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4472-4126
Juan Carlos Escobar KOPIA Center. Quito, Ecuador https://orcid.org/0009-0003-3552-5464
Chang Hwan Park KOPIA Center. Quito, Ecuador https://orcid.org/0009-0001-1845-8680

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51431/par.v6i2.971

Palabras clave:

Soil pit, Physical soil characterization, Soil profile, Rootstock, Avocado

Resumen

Objectives: The objective of this study was to physically characterize soil proﬁles from 7 commercial orchards of the Hass and Fuerte avocado varieties, grafted onto National and Zutano rootstocks, in the main avocado-producing provinces of Ecuador: Carchi (C), Imbabura (I), Pichincha (P), Tungurahua (T), and Santa Elena (SE). Methodology: Soil pits were dug in each study area, and soil proﬁle horizons were sampled and characterized through ﬁeld-based physical analysis. Yield data by variety were collected from orchard owners and/or technicians. Results: The results showed a higher use of National (Mexican) rootstocks, and identiﬁed four optimal locations from an edaphic perspective (San Vicente-P, Yachay-I, San Joaquín-I, Tomebamba-I), based on eﬀective depth, texture, structure, and salinity. With adequate agronomic management (pH reduction and organic matter addition), these areas could generate high yields and exportable quality crops. Two zones (Písquer-C and Los Andes-T) were identiﬁed where amendments (increased organic matter, pH reduction, and salinity control) and physical soil corrections (increased eﬀective depth and structuring) could create suitable conditions for avocado production. One area (El Azúcar-SE) were classiﬁed as unsuitable for avocado cultivation due to shallow eﬀective depth (15 cm), clayey textures (> 89%), massive -1 structuring, alkaline pH (> 8.45), and saline soils (2.74 mS cm ). Conclusions: The soils intended for avocado cultivation are diverse, and in some cases, do not meet the necessary physical requirements. The use of sexually propagated National (Mexican) rootstocks is common in Ecuador, but soil variability and limiting conditions are not always taken into account. For areas with mild edaphic restrictions, conditioning and amendments are necessary.