Yield and vegetative growth of cactus pear at different spacings and under chemical fertilizations

João A Da Silva,Milton C Padilha Júnior,Ancilon A E Silva Junior,Sérgio L R Donato,Evilasio Dos S Souza,Paulo E R Donato

doi:10.1590/1807-1929/agriambi.v20n6p564-569

João A Da Silva, Milton C Padilha Júnior + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/1807-1929/agriambi.v20n6p564-569

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Abstract

ABSTRACT The objective was to evaluate the effect of different spacings and mineral fertilizations on cactus pear growth and production in a randomized block design, with three replicates, in a 3 x 4 factorial scheme: three spacings, 1.00 x 0.50 m, 2.00 x 0.25 m and 3.00 x 1.00 x 0.25 m, and four fertilizations, 000-000-000, 000-150-000, 200-150-000 and 200-150-100 kg ha-1 of N, P2O5 and K2O, respectively. Plant growth was evaluated between 90 and 390 days and production and growth were evaluated at 620 days after planting. There were significant interactions between spacing and fertilization for plant height, number of cladodes and cladode area index from 90 to 390 days and for production of fresh and dry matter at 620 days after planting. Spacing influenced cladode area index, while fertilization influenced plant height, number of cladodes and cladode area index at 620 days after planting. Plant height showed cubic effect for the days after planting. Number of cladodes and cladode area index were dependent on spacing, fertilization and plant age, and fitted to cubic models. The best results of growth and production of fresh and dry matter are associated with NPK and NP fertilizations and the spacing of 1.00 x 0.50 m.

Highlights

Brazil has approximately 600 thousand hectares of cactus pear, with predominance of the species Opuntia ficus-indica, the 'Gigante' cactus (Araújo et al, 2005)
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different spacings and mineral fertilization on cactus pear growth and production
The experiment was set in randomized blocks with twelve treatments arranged in a 3 x 4 factorial scheme with three replicates, corresponding to three planting spacings: single row, 1.00 x 0.50 m; single row, 2.00 x 0.25 m and double row, 3.00 x 1.00 x 0.25 m, all with population of 20,000 plants ha-1, and four combinations of fertilization: without chemical fertilization; phosphate fertilization (P), at the dose of 150 kg ha-1 of P2O5; nitrogen and phosphate fertilization (NP) at the doses of 200 kg ha-1 of N and 150 kg ha-1 of P2O5; nitrogen, phosphate and potassium fertilization (NPK), at the doses of 200 kg ha-1 of N, 150 kg ha-1 of P2O5 and 100 kg ha-1 of K2O

Summary

Introduction

Brazil has approximately 600 thousand hectares of cactus pear, with predominance of the species Opuntia ficus-indica, the 'Gigante' cactus (Araújo et al, 2005). There is expansion of cultivation in the semiarid region of Bahia, but with technologies that are insufficient for plants to express their entire potential. Changes in management, such as combination of spacings and fertilization, may increase production and nutritional composition. Ramos et al (2011) and Silva et al (2014) concluded that spacing influences phytomass production, with greater increments for increasing densities. Evaluating fertilization and population density, Silva et al (2012) concluded that fertilizations increase production, contents of nutrients and improve the nutritional value. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different spacings and mineral fertilization on cactus pear growth and production

Material and Methods

Results and Discussion

Conclusions

Literature Cited