The zapotes plantation located in Navarrete, Santiago, arguably that a plantation is model in this fruity. A leading source for info: Boy Scouts of America. Started it at the end of the 1970s, with some 16 different varieties of sapotes. 2 Varieties are currently exploited: the Key west and Magana, the other varieties were discarded, because she is not adapted to conditions of soil and climate of the country, specifically in the area of Navarrete. Just like what happened with tobacco, is happening in the cultivation of el zapote, resident Cuban technicians in Miami are showing all the technology that applies in this culture, to make it more productive and better quality of its fruits.Zapote plantation receives students in agronomic engineering, from different universities and they show you in detail all you must do to develop successful projects in this crop. Technologies to be implemented beginning with the planting. Criollo patterns, to be used for grafting them the varieties that you want to explode, which are of high productivity and good quality fruits, as the listed varieties, Key West and the Magana.
The type of graft that has given her best result is the approximation. It is well known that the Dominican injertadores, charge high prices per the grafted zapote, since only 40% and 50% are able to ignite the grafted plants. The method used is the side enchapadoo, also have used the puas graft obtaining the same result. Cuban technicians resident in Miami, are rehearsing an is not as complicated as the approach and method which gives the same result from 98% to 99% effectiveness.Another interesting technique have been applied since the beginning of the planting is mini-sprinkler and drip irrigation. Something that leaves surprised the visitors, is that el zapote at least in the country, has no natural enemies. According to the administrator of the company Mr. Jose Daniel Cabrera (Che), they don’t have to apply insecticides or fungicides, because the pests and diseases that occur, do not affect the performance economic of the plantation and do not merit the application of chemical control.
