THE FERTILIZER REQUIREMENTS OF CACTUS PEAR (OPUNTIA FICUS–INDICA) UNDER SUMMER RAINFALL CONDITIONS IN SOUTH AFRICA

In a 4x3x3x2 N, P, K and lime fertilizer experiment with cactus pear (Opuntia ficus–indica) on a sandy soil, fertilizer applications were low when establishing the orchard and were increased as the plants developed.

Total yield and fruit mass were determined and soil and plant analyses conducted each year.
Soil analysis indicated that with the present optimal treatments, the nutrient content of the top soil was maintained while in the subsoil it was lowered.

Dolomitic lime had a beneficial effect on yield and it was found that the plants were able to utilize the lime applied as a topdressing.

Optimum yields were obtained with a soil K content of 60 mgkg^-1 and a leaf K content of 1,5%. For N optimum yields were obtained with an N application of between 30 and 60 kg N, which coincides with a leaf N content of 0,96%.

P applications were too low to obtain optimum yields and it is assumed that a P application of at least 16 kg P ha^-1 would be required under these experimental conditions which will coincide with soil P content of higher than 10 mg kg^-1 and a leaf P value of more than 0,15%. Fruit mass was not affected significantly by the different treatments.

III International Congress on Cactus Pear and Cochineal

A.S. Claassens, A.B. Wessels

yield, soil analysis, plant analysis, application rates

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1997.438.10