Technical and economic validation of the fruit thinning practice in commercial mangosteen plantations in the Soconusco region, Chiapas. Mexico

The objective of the work was to validate the technical and economic efficiency of thinning to increase the size and weight of mangosteen fruits. The validation was carried out in 2021, in two commercial plantations of mangosteen 10 and 13 years old located in the municipalities of Tapachula, and Tuxtla Chico, Chiapas, Mexico, respectively. The factors in study are thinning with two levels: thinned 30% and unthinned (control) and three initial fruiting ranges (RFI): 80-120 fruits; 121 to 160 fruits and> 160 fruits. By combining the study factors, 6 treatments were formed: RFI 80-120-thinned; RFI 121-160-thinned; RFI >160-thinned; RFI 80-120-unthinned RFI 121-160-unthinned and RFI >160-unthinned. A completely random design with four repetitions was used. The experimental unit consisted of a tree, with a total of 24 trees in 0.14 ha in each plantation under study. The study variables were yield/tree; fruit weight and fruits/tree. The economic comparison between treatments was made and the return to capital (cost-benefit ratio) of them was calculated. In both plantations evaluated, a significant statistical difference was found in fruits/tree, fruit weight, yield/tree and yield/ha. The highest average weight of the fruits (> 76 g in accordance with the requirements of international markets.) and percentage of them, is obtained in trees thinned. The highest cost-benefit ratio (4.5 in Tuxtla Chico plantation and 2.3 in Tapachula plantation), was obtained in RFI >160 thinned treatment.