Variables biométricas de guanábano (Annona muricata L.) tipo gigante en las condiciones edafoclimáticas del estado Portuguesa, Venezuela

Tropical fruit crops show vegetative and reproductive behavior that varied according to the soil and climate conditions of the area and the agronomic practices applied to them. For this reason is necessary to conduct studies about vegetative growth in fruit crops. The objective of this work was the characterization of biometric variables in “giant” type soursop (Annona muricata L.) at Sun Sun, San Genaro de Boconoito municipality, Portuguesa State, Venezuela. Forty eight (four years old) plants were selected in a plantation of 144 trees. The biometric variables studied were: plant height (PH), stem perimeter 10 cm above soil level (SP), average ratio canopy (ARC) and canopy volume (CV). The variables were evaluated with descriptive statistical based on averages and deviations, Pearson correlation analysis, linear multiple regression with Stepwise variable selection and series temporal graphics. From April 2005 to April 2006, the values obtained for PH 2.95 to 3.82 m, SP 27.33 to 44.13 cm, ARC 74.15 to 124.99 cm and CV 5.39 to 19.48 m 3 , in dates cited. The highest single correlations values were: average ratio canopy with canopy volume r=0.9547 and stem perimeter with canopy volume r= 0.8028, while the lowest value was: plant height with average ratio canopy r= 0.5901, although all single correlations were significant (P< 0.01). Based on regression analysis, plant height and average ratio canopy explained 94% of variation of canopy volume (P< 0.01).