Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the development of pitaya cuttings in different substrates under different frequencies of irrigation. The experiment was conducted from January to May 2017 in a greenhouse at Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia, Capitao Poço, Pará, Brazil. A completely randomized 3 × 7 factorial design with four replicates was used. Pitaya plants were grown from cuttings in three types of substrates (S1: potting soil; S2: potting soil + cattle manure + wood shavings; and S3: washed sand) under seven irrigation frequencies (24, 48, 72, 96, 120, 144, and 168 h). There was interaction between treatments for root dry matter production, root length variables, the other variables showed no interaction between treatments. The greater development of new and vigorous tissues of the aerial part, the substrates with composition black earth and black earth + manure + sawdust are indicated, and the adoption of the irrigation frequency of 72 h or 96 h. The use of substrate based on black earth + manure + sawdust, allows savings in the rational use of water and energy with the application of the 96 h irrigation frequencies, maintaining satisfactory levels of development to the plant. The washed sand substrate can be used for propagation when this material is abundant, however, greater attention should be paid to the supply of water and nutrients to the plant.
Highlights
Pitayas or “dragon fruits” belong to the family Cactaceae and are native to the tropical forests of Mexico, Central America, and South America (Mizrahi et al 1996)
To supply the expanding domestic and global markets, the production of pitaya cuttings has been being adapted to large-scale systems, and protocols have been developed to ensure the quality of the fruit crop
Shoot parameters were analyzed only in plants grown in S1 and S2
Summary
Pitayas or “dragon fruits” belong to the family Cactaceae and are native to the tropical forests of Mexico, Central America, and South America (Mizrahi et al 1996). Pitaya has high yields (up to 34 t ha-1), and it is ready for harvest in the first year of production It has high-value crop for niche markets, which attracts the attention of farmers (Nerd et al 2002; Le Bellec et al 2006; Moreira et al 2018). Cladodes (photosynthetic shoots) respond well to soil organic matter but develop extensive root systems in sand (Mizrahi & Nerd, 1999). A mixture of sand and a substrate rich in organic matter (such as composted cattle manure) is most suitable for obtaining strong, highquality plants from cuttings (Silva et al 2006; Santos et al 2010a)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
