Articles
Effects of planting density and soil management on pitaya (S. undatus) yield in an outdoor plantation
Article number
1452_27
Pages
207 – 214
Language
English
Abstract
In regions with advanced pitaya (Selenicereus spp.) cultivation, the crop is popular due to its rapid production cycle and favourable fruit prices.
The Mediterranean offers favourable cultivation conditions, but more research is needed on agronomic practices like spacing and soil management, which affect profitability and sustainability.
A trial was conducted in an outdoor plantation to assess the effect of two planting spacings (PS-0.5, plant spacing of 0.5 m; PS-1, plant spacing of 1 m) and two weed management methods (SC-BS, soil cover with black screen; SC-M, soil cover with mulch) on pitaya production parameters (fruits plant‑1; kg plant‑1; average fruit weight; kg m‑2), in the first and second production years.
The use of mulching (SC-M) resulted in a higher number of fruits plant‑1 compared to the black screen (SC-BS), but this effect was only observed in the 1st production year.
However, PS-1 and SC-BS obtained higher yield (kg plant‑1) compared to the PS-0.5 and SC-M plants.
Neither plant spacing nor soil cover strongly influenced fruit size variation over time.
Ultimately, the spacing that proved to be the most productive was the tightest (PS-0.5) with an average value of 0.82±0.04 kg m‑2, compared to PS-1 (0.60±0.04 kg m‑2). Results show that pitaya productivity is increasing annually, even under tighter spacings.
Adding organic matter to the soil significantly boosts production, and consistent mulching improves soil fertility and controls weeds efficiently.
The Mediterranean offers favourable cultivation conditions, but more research is needed on agronomic practices like spacing and soil management, which affect profitability and sustainability.
A trial was conducted in an outdoor plantation to assess the effect of two planting spacings (PS-0.5, plant spacing of 0.5 m; PS-1, plant spacing of 1 m) and two weed management methods (SC-BS, soil cover with black screen; SC-M, soil cover with mulch) on pitaya production parameters (fruits plant‑1; kg plant‑1; average fruit weight; kg m‑2), in the first and second production years.
The use of mulching (SC-M) resulted in a higher number of fruits plant‑1 compared to the black screen (SC-BS), but this effect was only observed in the 1st production year.
However, PS-1 and SC-BS obtained higher yield (kg plant‑1) compared to the PS-0.5 and SC-M plants.
Neither plant spacing nor soil cover strongly influenced fruit size variation over time.
Ultimately, the spacing that proved to be the most productive was the tightest (PS-0.5) with an average value of 0.82±0.04 kg m‑2, compared to PS-1 (0.60±0.04 kg m‑2). Results show that pitaya productivity is increasing annually, even under tighter spacings.
Adding organic matter to the soil significantly boosts production, and consistent mulching improves soil fertility and controls weeds efficiently.
Authors
A.R. Trindade, P. Matias, B. Duarte, D. Trindade, A. Duarte
Keywords
Cactaceae, dragon fruit, Mediterranean agriculture, production technologies, soil fertility, sustainable farming, yield optimization
Groups involved
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