DEPIGMENTATION OF CHAYOTE Sechium edule (Jacq.) Sw IN ACTOPAN, VERACRUZ, MÉXICO

Abstract

Chayote [(Sechium edule (Jacq.) Sw.)] is a non-traditional export product, and the state of Veracruz produces it throughout the year, since it has broadened the crop’s corridor in three agroclimate regions. The first is located in the zone of mountainous mesophyll forest in the center of the state at altitudes of 1580 to 1150 m. The municipalities of Coscomatepec, Huatusco, Ixhuatlán del Café, Chocamán, Orizaba, Tlilapan and Rafael Delgado are located in it, without irrigation management, solely under rainfed conditions. The second region is located in areas of medium evergreen forest vegetation, at altitudes of 1100 to 780 m, which group the municipality of Ixtaczoquitlan, under conditions of irrigation and rainfed. The third region is located in areas of low deciduous forest at altitudes of 300 to 210 m, in the municipalities of Actopan and Emiliano Zapata, under conditions of irrigation, where the depigmentation of the epidermis of the fruit has been detected in a recurring manner. Considering the economic importance it represents, an analysis of the variables that influence the ecophysiology of the crop was performed, under different assumptions, taking into consideration that the species was introduced into this region.