SOIL QUALITY IN THE PITAHAYA PRODUCTION SYSTEM IN THE CANTON OF PALORA, PROVINCE OF MORONA SANTIAGO

The study’s main objective was to evaluate the soil quality to carry out the methodology; a reconnaissance of the studied farms was made, then monitoring was made where 16 simple subsamples were extracted and from them, 4 composite samples were obtained for each farm, the points were located with the help of a GPS, to subtract the soil samples a depth of 20 cm was considered, which also served to identify the macrofauna of the place, these soil samples were sent to the private laboratory of INAIP for the corresponding analysis, and were also evaluated in the laboratories of ESPOCH. The parameters were pH, electrical conductivity, texture, macro and micronutrient concentrations and macrofauna; the results were as follows: QIn F1: 152.34 (Very High Quality), QIn F2: 68, 49 (Very High Quality) and QIn F3: 88.12 (Very High Quality). In conclusion, it was demonstrated that the three study farms have a very high quality despite the fact that their production years are different. It was also shown that there is no significant difference in concentrations between the parameters analyzed; ph, electrical conductivity and phosphorus are important parameters that influence the performance of these soils by allowing the accumulation, retention and adequate transport of micro and macronutrients. This research made it possible to identify the conditions in which these soils are found due to pitahaya monoculture and how farmers in the area consider good agricultural practices. Finally, a model of a management plan for agricultural use was developed, which will contribute with considerations that producers in this area can take into account for the care and management of this fruit and thus safeguard the health of the soil.