Page 491 - FRUTAS DEL TRÓPICO

491

INTRODUCTION

Tropical fruit trees grow on various soils in the tropical region. Nutritional problems associated

with these soils are different. Specific nutrient management practices should be utilized. Calca-
reous soils, a predominated soil type for growing tropical fruit trees in South Florida are used

as an example for discussing proper nutrient management program.

Global soils for tropical fruits and their fertility problems:

Tropical fruits are originated in tropical regions and grown on tropical soils. Tropical regions
are defined as areas situated between the 23.5 degrees north and south of the equator. Some

literature extends tropical regions to 30 degrees. The Tropical Research Center, Homestead,

Florida is located at 25N which is not a typical tropical zone. However, most tropical fruits can

be grown in South Florida.

Major soil types in the typical tropical region as US soil classification are Oxisols, Ultisols,

Alfisols, Entisols, and Inceptisols (Table 1). Approximately 27.54% soils are Oxisols in the tro-

pics. In the US, they can only be found in Hawaii. These soils are highly weathered with no
more than 10 percent weatherable minerals, and less than 10 percent base saturation through

soil profile. Oxisols are always a reddish or yellowish color, due to the high concentration of iron

oxides. They also contain quartz and kaolin, small amounts of other clay minerals and organic

matter. These soils are extremely acidic with low nutrients and water holding capacities. Plants

Universidad Autónoma de Chiapas