Effect of indole butyric acid on the propagation of Hylocereus undatus "pitahaya" under greenhouse conditions

Abstract

Hylocereus undatus "pitahaya", is a tropical species of cactus that has been established throughout Latin America. Its fruit is considered a potential nutraceutical food because it provides numerous beneficial antioxidant and probiotic properties for health. Reason for which its cultivation has increased both for the national and international market, one of the main limitations being the rapid propagation and establishment of the cuttings. Given this, it was proposed as a research objective to determine the effect of indole butyric acid on the propagation of Hylocereus undatus "pitahaya", as a promoter of root growth. In the greenhouse, stems of mother plants were used, which were subjected to different doses of IBA (0, 5000, 10000 mg/L). A completely randomized design was used, evaluating the longest root length, number of primary roots, root mass weight, root dry weight, stem weight and stem length. The data were analyzed using the software R version 4.1.2, showing the not existence of significant differences between the treatments. It is concluded that treatment 1, constituted by 0 mg/L of IBA, is the best, since a better response was evidenced in relation to the greater root length, number of primary roots and root mass weight, in the same way. for weight and stem length of H. undatus "pitahaya". Therefore, for its propagation the use of indole butyric acid is not essential.