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Organic cultivation of two species of pitahaya (Selenicereus undatus and Selenicereus megalanthus) in the Southeast of Mexico


Horticulture International Journal
Mendoza -Barrera Victor M,1 Ortega -Ramirez Marynor E,Galán-Jímenez, Miguel Á,1 Burelo- Ramos Carlos M,3 Campos - Díaz Manuel J3

Abstract

Both species of Pithaya Selenicereus undatus and Selenicereus megalanthus, were established on the 25th of May and the 26th of June, 2019. Three hundred and forty-four cuttings were planted. The seedlings used were 30cm long, previously rooted at the ranch for three months with vegetable soil and worm-compost in a protective cultivation system using horticulture shadowed cloth with 70% sunlight penetration. The substratum that was used to plant was of organic existence enriched with worm-compost and mountain microorganisms. These plants were planted in rows of high density with a distance of 50cm interspersing between the two species. The organic products that were used to enrich the plants were created at Rancho Alegre by mountain microorganisms, cattle, sheep, and horse manure, vegetable carbon, wood ash, milk, molasses, saltwater, garlic, onion, habanero chile (Capisum Chinese Habanero Group), Neem tree leaves (Azadirachtaindica), soap, rock flour, yeast, Sulfur (S), Potassium hydroxide (KOH), vegetable oil, and Calcium oxide (CaO), the schedule is ongoing cyclically. Three hundred kilograms were produced in the first year, a total of 8 groups every 19 days, with fruit up to 960 grams, where the normal weight of pitahayas in the Southeast of Mexico is between 350-450 grams. It was concluded that the use of organic products demonstrated a significant difference between production and time of fruit bearing. A favorable result is observed between the use of products and the results obtained in this production of pitahaya, that, given the first year, greatly surpasses other reference production results.

 

Keywords

Pitahaya, hylocereus, selenicereus, organic, epiphyte, cactaceae, hemiepiphyte, fruit salads, sodas, marmalades, jams, beer, wine, cultivation technologies, arial roots, large nocturnal flowers, post-harvest management, nutritional composition, cultivation, phenology, organic fertilization, physical chemistry

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