Abstract
ABSTRACT Information on nutritional management of pitaya crops are scarce. However, understanding the growth and nutrient accumulation in these plants at different developmental stages can assist in the development of rational soil fertilizer application programs for pitaya crops and decrease production costs. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate the growth and nutrient accumulation in pitaya plants throughout the crop cycle. Cladodes of pitaya plants of the Hylocereus setaceus species were grown in polyethylene pots containing a Typic Hapludult (Argissolo Vermelho-Amarelo Eutrófico) under full sun. The treatments consisted of six sampling times: 0, 60, 120, 180, 240, 300, and 360 days after planting (DAP). A randomized block experimental design with four replications was used. Four plants were sampled and evaluated for growth and nutrient accumulation at each sampling time. The pitaya plants presented an exponential growth up to 360 DAP and high nutrient absorption between 300 and 360 DAP. The nutrient and Na accumulations in the cladodes, in decreasing order, were: 3.91 (K), 2.56 (Ca), 1.95 (N), 1.24 (P), 0.45 (Mg), 0.30 (S), and 0.06 (Na) g plant-1, and 14.86 (Zn), 12.72 (Fe), 12.37 (Mn), 5.37 (B), and 1.04 (Cu) mg plant-1. The highest relative growth rate and relative nutrient absorption rate were found between 60 and 120 DAP.
Highlights
Hylocereus setaceus is a fruit species of the Cactaceae family that is raising the interest of fruit growers by presenting high commercial value (MOREIRA et al, 2011); it has a high potential as an ornamental and fruit plant and is an excellent source of vitamins
Fernandes et al (2018), evaluated the production and quality of pitaya fruits grown on soils with potassium fertilizer applications and found that the application of 106 to 133 g of K2O per plant in the first growth year and 200 g of K2O in the second and third year increases the production and quality of white-fleshed (Hylocereus undatus) and red-fleshed (Hylocereus polyrhizus) pitaya fruits
Soil fertilizer applications for pitaya crops in Brazil are done based on the experience of producers, or using rates that are recommended for other countries, which present ecological systems different from those of the Brazilian producing regions (CAVALCANTE et al, 2011), causing nutritional imbalances
Summary
Hylocereus setaceus (pitaya) is a fruit species of the Cactaceae family that is raising the interest of fruit growers by presenting high commercial value (MOREIRA et al, 2011); it has a high potential as an ornamental and fruit plant and is an excellent source of vitamins. One of problems that affect pitaya crops is the lack of information about the nutritional management of the plants (COSTA et al, 2015). Little information is found on the quantity of nutrients required for pitaya plants over the crop cycle to obtain satisfactory results regarding their growth, development, and production. Some studies on pitaya crops have shown how nutrients can affect their growth and production. The use 150 to 225 mg dm-3 of P, 4 to 6 mg dm-3 of Zn (CORRÊA et al, 2014), 300 to 450 mg dm-3 of N, and 150 to 225 mg dm-3 of K (ALMEIDA et al, 2014) results in a better growth of white-fleshed pitaya (H. undatus) seedlings
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