Climatic zoning of peach palm (Bactris gasipaes) in Santa Catarina State, Brazil

Abstract

The culture of peach palm is a cost effective option and an alternative for sustainable production of palm heart. The objective of this study was to elaborate the climatic zoning for the cultivation of peach palm for palm heart production in the State of Santa Catarina. The climatic variables used were: average annual air temperature, total annual precipitation and probability of frost in July. The aptitude classes for climatic zoning of peach palm were recommended crop cultivation, crop cultivation tolerated and not recommended crop cultivation. The areas most suitable for commercial cultivation of peach palm are situated in the North coast of Santa Catarina, which are the warmest and rainiest areas of the state. The not recommended crop cultivation by the climatic zoning in the state is mainly due to the restriction average temperature followed by a frost.