AGRO-CLIMATIC ZONING TO BANANA-GROWING IN THE MESOREGION OF VALE DO RIO DOCE

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study aims at identifying by zoning the mesoregion of Vale do Rio Doce edaphoclimatic aptitude for the commercial production of banana. The factors used in the agro-climatic zoning were temperature, altitude, rainfall, water deficit and soil type. Information on the thermal conditions was acquired from the INMET and also using estimates from a mathematical model. Altimetry data were acquired using digital elevation model generated from ASTER images. Rainfall data were collected from literature and from the ANA. To obtain the data of water deficit a standard water balance was calculated. Soil information was provided by Geominas Program. According to the results it was evident that banana can be grown with the use of irrigation in 28.7% of the zoned area (about 11,000 km2) emphasizing Guanhães, Mantena and Aimorés microregion. It was clear that 71.3% from the mesoregion is unsuitable to produce bananas because of the altitude and soil type. Moreover it was also clear that the mesoregion of Vale do Rio Doce has no preferential and suitable areas for the cultivation of unirrigated banana.