Abstract

ROSARIO-ARELLANO, José Luis del et al. Status and ecogeographical conditions of Manihot esculenta Crantz in the Las Montañas Region, Veracruz. Ecosistemas y recur. agropecuarios [online]. 2024, vol.11, n.3, e3975.  Epub Feb 28, 2025. ISSN 2007-901X.  https://doi.org/10.19136/era.a11n3.3975.

The study of the ecogeographical conditions of food species such as cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) has implications for understanding how it adapts to various soil and climatic conditions. Additionally, it generates knowledge about the current state of crop management in an agroecological region. The objective was to analyze the current status, ecogeographical conditions, and potential distribution of cassava in nine municipalities in the “Las Montañas” region of Veracruz, México. Field surveys were conducted to collect cassava accessions, which were identified based on morphological and agronomic descriptors to differentiate the germplasm. Passport data were also recorded. Using georeferences, information on seven soil variables, 19 climatic variables, and altitude was obtained through ecogeographical techniques. Additionally, an ecological niche model using the maximum entropy algorithm was created to identify potential cultivation areas. Cassava was reported in backyard gardens, home gardens, lemon orchards, coffee plantations, sugarcane fields, banana groves, and areas with agricultural, livestock, and forestry management; in lands dedicated to annual and semi-permanent rainfed agriculture, and in urban spaces; growing in humic and orthic Acrisol, humic Andosol, Haplic Phaeozem, and Chromic Vertisol soils. With an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.998 for the niche model, 27 municipalities have the soil and climatic conditions suitable for implementing cassava cultivation. However, funding is needed to conduct fieldwork, evaluate the morpho-agronomic characteristics of the accessions in different environments, and implement a program to conserve genetic diversity.

Keywords : Agroecosystems; conservation; ecogeographic; germplasm; Manihot esculenta Crantz.

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