Zoneamento agroclimático de euterpe oleracea no Estado do Maranhão: avaliação de mesorregiões com potencial de produção.

Abstract

The açaí palm, native to the Brazilian Amazon with its main dispersion center in Pará, has growing economic importance in Maranhão, where cultivation is expanding. The objective of this study is to identify the agroclimatic suitability areas for the cultivation of açaí palm (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) in Maranhão, aiming to optimize the planning and management of production. The analysis is based on climatic data from 1994 to 2023, provided by the National Institute of Meteorology (INMET), and includes variables such as potential evapotranspiration, rainfall, temperature, among others. The study area was divided into five mesoregions: North, Central Maranhão, East, South, and West. Each was characterized based on climatic and hydrological aspects. For determining agroclimatic suitability, the study considered annual rainfall, average temperature, and annual water deficit, following criteria established by previous research. Rainfed açaí cultivation is more suitable in the North and West mesoregions due to more favorable climatic conditions, although supplementary irrigation is still necessary during periods of water deficit. The Central, East, and South mesoregions are less suitable due to a longer dry season and lower rainfall indices. The research highlights that water supplementation is crucial to ensure the continuity of production and the quality of the fruits, especially during the off-season. Irrigation not only ensures the productive viability of the açaí palm in regions with a water deficit but can also increase the profits of producers. Thus, to optimize açaí production, the choice of cultivation region must carefully consider climatic conditions and the need for irrigation to overcome the challenges posed by water variability