NUMERICAL ANALYSIS OF CLIMATIC VARIABLES IN ORGANIC FARMING OF STRAWBERRY (Fragaria spp.) AT EL CASTILLITO, LAS SABANAS, MADRIZ

Abstract

The importance of cultivation of strawberry (Fragaria spp.) has for small producers of El Castillito, La Sabana municipality of Madriz department guides the implementation of farming techniques to increase yields. Furthermore, knowledge of weather conditions is essential for production of this crop. This study was carried out with the purpose of describe the climatic characteristics and climatic conditions suitable for the establishment of this crop. For analysis we used a Kestrel 4 000 Pocket experimental station where records were taken. Nine thousand two hundred sixty three (9 263) observations were obtained from 11 climate variables, which were subjected to univariate and multivariate analysis. Through the information, evapotranspiration from the study site was determined. The historical average yields were analyzed and compared with the months in which the crop is established. Climatic variables in the months of the year differ significantly in el Castillito, some characteristics are specific for some months of the year. The group of months from December to April differs from the group from the months that include June to September. The El Castillito conditions are suitable for production of strawberries, provided it is established during the months from June to August. Crop evapotranspiration ranged from 2.5 to 5 mm day-1, and so, we propose to use irrigation flows ranged from one to 1.5 liter per plan per day.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/calera.v12i19.1180

La Calera Revista Científica Vol. 12. Nº 19, p. 75-80 / diciembre 2012