Articles
Influence of organic and inorganic fertilization on the yield and quality of cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) fruit
Article number
1452_14
Pages
111 – 120
Language
English
Abstract
Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) (cactus pear) are the most intriguing species due to their peculiar adaptations to survive extreme heat, severe drought and poor soil conditions.
Fruit quality is crucial as these fruits are highly perishable and susceptible to damage, determining their shelf life.
This study’s objective was to assess the effect of inorganic (0, 60, 120 and 240 kg N ha‑1 as urea) and organic fertilizer (compost and chicken manure (0, 10, 20, 40 t ha‑1) and sheep manure (0, 40, 80, 160 kg ha‑1)) on fruit yield and quality of ‘Morado’. Fruit number, fresh mass, pulp and peel percentage, pH, total soluble sugars (TSS), glucose and sucrose contents were recorded.
Fruit yield (number of fruit and fruit mass plant‑1) and glucose content were significantly influenced by the fertilizer treatments.
The fresh mass of fruit from plants treated with urea (106 g), sheep (96 g) or chicken manure (72 g) was significantly higher than fruit from plants treated with compost (42 g). The pH and TSS (5.79 and 14 °Brix) of fruits harvested from plants treated with organic fertilizer were higher compared to those harvested treated with inorganic fertilizer (4.29 and 7 °Brix for compost; 5.68 and 13 °Brix for sheep manure; and 5.65 and 12 °Brix for chicken manure). The different fertilizer levels tended to increase most of the parameters measured except glucose and ascorbic acid content, although not always significant.
Fruit yield and quality of plants treated with compost, regardless of the level applied, were significantly lower than in all the other treatments.
The results indicated that both organic and inorganic fertilizer treatments – urea, sheep manure, and chicken manure – positively influenced the yield and quality of cactus pear fruit.
The best results were obtained with 60 kg N ha‑1 of urea, 10 t ha‑1 of chicken manure, and 40 t ha‑1 of sheep manure, which produced the highest yield and quality of ‘Morado’ fruit.
Fruit quality is crucial as these fruits are highly perishable and susceptible to damage, determining their shelf life.
This study’s objective was to assess the effect of inorganic (0, 60, 120 and 240 kg N ha‑1 as urea) and organic fertilizer (compost and chicken manure (0, 10, 20, 40 t ha‑1) and sheep manure (0, 40, 80, 160 kg ha‑1)) on fruit yield and quality of ‘Morado’. Fruit number, fresh mass, pulp and peel percentage, pH, total soluble sugars (TSS), glucose and sucrose contents were recorded.
Fruit yield (number of fruit and fruit mass plant‑1) and glucose content were significantly influenced by the fertilizer treatments.
The fresh mass of fruit from plants treated with urea (106 g), sheep (96 g) or chicken manure (72 g) was significantly higher than fruit from plants treated with compost (42 g). The pH and TSS (5.79 and 14 °Brix) of fruits harvested from plants treated with organic fertilizer were higher compared to those harvested treated with inorganic fertilizer (4.29 and 7 °Brix for compost; 5.68 and 13 °Brix for sheep manure; and 5.65 and 12 °Brix for chicken manure). The different fertilizer levels tended to increase most of the parameters measured except glucose and ascorbic acid content, although not always significant.
Fruit yield and quality of plants treated with compost, regardless of the level applied, were significantly lower than in all the other treatments.
The results indicated that both organic and inorganic fertilizer treatments – urea, sheep manure, and chicken manure – positively influenced the yield and quality of cactus pear fruit.
The best results were obtained with 60 kg N ha‑1 of urea, 10 t ha‑1 of chicken manure, and 40 t ha‑1 of sheep manure, which produced the highest yield and quality of ‘Morado’ fruit.
Authors
S. Cloete, M. de Wit, G.M. Coetzer
Keywords
compost, chicken manure, fruit mass, glucose, sheep manure, sucrose, TSS, urea
Groups involved
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