Abstract
Abstract Knowledge on the amounts of nutrients accumulated by pitaya in its different development stages allows defining the periods in which the essential elements are most required, thus contributing to the elaboration of rational fertilization programs for the crop, reducing production costs. This study aimed to evaluate the growth and nutritional requirement of red pitaya, estimating the accumulation of macro and micronutrients by the plants and determining the periods in which the greatest accumulations occur, as well as the relative growth rate and the relative nutrient absorption rate. Pitaya seedlings were planted in pots containing Argissolo Vermelho-Amarelo Eutrófico (Ultisol) and grown in the open air. The experimental design was randomized blocks, with four replicates and seven sampling times: 0, 60, 120, 180, 240, 300 and 360 DAP (days after planting). At each sampling time, length of cladodes, dry matter of the aerial part and nutrient accumulation in the aerial part were evaluated. Red pitaya plants showed a low growth rate until 60 days and, from this period, its growth increased significantly. Nutrient accumulation occurred in the following descending order: K > Ca > N > Mg = P > S > Na element > Zn > Mn > Fe > B > Cu. K and Zn were, respectively, the most exported macro and micronutrient by pitaya fruits.
Highlights
Pitaya is the most cultivated cactus fruit tree in the world (MIZRAHI et al, 1997)
Because pitaya has an adaptive metabolism to limiting water conditions, its cultivation is indicated for regions with low precipitation (SILVA, 2014), such as the northeastern semiarid region of Brazil
Given the lack of information on the nutritional requirement of pitaya throughout its cultivation cycle, this study aimed to evaluate the growth and nutritional requirement of red pitaya, estimating the accumulation of macro and micronutrients by plants and determining the times in which the greatest accumulations occur, as well as the relative growth rate and the relative nutrient absorption rate
Summary
It is a perennial plant that usually grows on either trees or rocks, with cladode-type stems, which are modified structures with capacity to perform photosynthesis and accumulate water (SANTOS et al, 2013). It has a specific type of metabolism, called the Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM). Red-skinned, red-fleshed pitaya (Hylocereus sp.) is one of the existing species of pitaya with increasing acceptance in the consumer market (CORDEIRO et al, 2015). The slightly sweet taste, the more attractive flesh color and its functional properties superior to those of other pitaya species (LIMA et al, 2013) make its cultivation promising
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