NPK application in yellow pitaya seedlings grown on sand and organic compost

Abstract

Brazil is considered one of the largest fruit producers in the world and one of the fruit groups that has stood out is that of exotic ones, such as the yellow pitaya (Hylocereus megalanthus); however, there are only incipient studies related to this crop. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of an NPK fertilizer formulation (N-P2O5-K2O: 8-20-20) on yellow pitaya grown in greenhouse conditions, using as substrate sand and organic compost (3:2). The experimental design was in randomized blocks, with six treatments and five replicates. The treatments consisted of the following rates of the NPK fertilizer: 0, 200, 250, 300, 350, and 400 g per pot. The parameters evaluated were the rooting rate, height, diameter, fresh weight (FW), dry weight (DW), and nutrient content in cladodes. Although the application of 300 g per pot resulted in higher concentrations of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, and Zn, the sole use of the organic fertilizer (compost) mixed with sand was enough for adequate FW and DW yield of cladodes.