Key Agronomic Fertilization Practices That Influence Yield of Naranjilla (Solanum quitoense Lam.) in the Ecuadorian Amazon

Abstract

An application of a balanced nutrition will improve the soil as well as enhance the yield of naranjilla (Solanum quitoense Lam.) grown in the Ecuadorian Amazon. A field experiment was carried out in Palora, 16 de Agosto (Morona Santiago province) and Fátima (Pastaza province) to find which variables are related with the yield of the naranjilla crop and the yield response when the crop receives complete nutrition with N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and S plus lime and with the omission of each of these nutrients. A Random Complete Block Design with three replications was used in the three environments. The naranjilla crop had higher yields (18.14 Mg ha−1) in the complete treatments (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and S) and without S and Mg, consequently, these two last nutrients did not limit the production. When N, P, K, and Ca were not applied, the yields fell to 14.62 Mg ha−1. The main environmental effect showed that Palora had the highest fruit yields (19.73 Mg ha−1), followed by 16 de Agosto (13.57 Mg ha−1) and finally Fátima with 11.04 (Mg ha−1). These preliminary results showed that with the treatments without S (18.55 Mg ha−1), without Mg (18.42 Mg ha−1) and complete (17.46 Mg ha−1) the highest yields were obtained, consequently, the production was not affected by the absence of these elements; the opposite happened when N, P, K, and Ca were not present.

Nutrient Contribution and Carbon Sequestration of an Agroforestry System of Coffea canephora Cultivated by Conventional and Organic Management in the Ecuadorian Amazon

“…From the second year onwards, the elimination of unproductive stems was carried out, which allowed for good air circulation, thus reducing the propagation of pathogens [29]. The quantity of nutrients applied was established based on crop needs, soil nutrient supply based on soil fertility, and fertilizer efficiency [39].…”

Aspectos de la fisiología y el cultivo del lulo (Solanum quitoense LAM.) en Colombia: una revisión

“…No obstante, Franco et al (2002) manifiestan que se deben aplicar 50 g por planta de N, P y K (10, 30, 10, respectivamente), y 1 a 2 kg por planta al momento de la siembra, seguido de dos aplicaciones de 100 g por planta de N, P, K y Mg (13, 26, 10, 3, respectivamente), a los tres meses después del transplante (ddt) y previo a la floración. Viera et al (2021) reportan en cultivos sembrados en la amazonía ecuatoriana que la ausencia en la fertilización de N, P, K y Ca, disminuye la producción de frutos en las plantas de lulo en un 22 %, 21 %, 13,8 % y 7,9 %, respectivamente. Además, cuando se aplicaron todos los elementos nutritivos y también cal, los frutos de las plantas de lulo mostraron mayor contenido de azúcares y menor acidez (Vargas et al, 2020).…”

“…La planta de lulo comienza la producción entre los 8 y 12 meses después de ser trasplantada (Gómez-Merino et al, 2014). Se reportan rendimientos promedio de 8,5 t ha-1 al aire libre (Ardila et al, 2015) y de hasta 14,3 t ha en materas bajo condiciones semicontroladas (Viera et al, 2021). El estado de madurez óptimo para la cosecha del fruto de lulo se alcanza en el momento en que la planta se encuentra en su estado reproductivo por completo, a las 34 semanas aproximadamente (Martínez-González et al, 2018).…”

Agroforestry Systems of Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) in the Ecuadorian Amazon

“…An alternative in the region is to promote sustainable production systems that promote food security and sovereignty [10] because the most appropriate land use in the Amazon is for forest and not for agricultural activities, let alone those related to conventional agriculture [11], due to adverse effects on natural resources. These include the reduction in biodiversity, soil erosion, and the alteration of ecosystems [12,13]. For this reason, sustainable production alternatives are currently being sought to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help to improve crop productivity [14].…”