LOCALIZATION OF RAINFED AGROCLIMATIC CONDITIONS SUITABLE FOR Amaranthus spp. IN MEXICO

Abstract

Amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) is a plant that has played a fundamental role in Mexican culture and agriculture since pre-Columbian times. In Mexico, initiatives have been taken to promote this crop, such as the decree of law promoting amaranth cultivation, and the declaration of October 15th as the National Day of Amaranth, which aims to recognize the cultural, ecological, social and agricultural contribution of this food. In view of the prospect of an increase in the area under cultivation of amaranth in the country, it is important to identify appropriate conditions for its development and define the sites where its cultivation should be promoted in Mexico. Therefore, the objective of this research was to define the areas in Mexico with productive potential for amaranth production under rainfed conditions. The altitude, temperature, precipitation, light intensity and soil requirements for amaranth were considered by consulting databases, bibliography and experts in the crop. The QGIS 3.22.14 Batioweiza software was used. The databases consulted were the INEGI digital elevation model, the average temperature and precipitation of WorldClim version 2.0, and soils. The scale used was 1:250,000. It was found that high potential zones are located in 26 of the 32 states of the Mexican republic. The largest areas under rainfed conditions to produce amaranth were located in Jalisco, Michoacan, State of Mexico, Oaxaca, Puebla and Guanajuato. It was determined that there are 7,621,722 ha of high potential and 1,054,665 ha of medium potential for amaranth production in Mexico under rainfed conditions.