Pitaya as a New Alternative Crop for Iberian Peninsula: Biology and Edaphoclimatic Requirements

Abstract

Pitaya is one of the fruit species whose demand has increased in recent years due to the numerous health benefits and lucrative price of the fruit and its by-products. In Europe, the Iberian Peninsula and other Mediterranean countries are the ones with favorable climatic conditions for its cultivation. This document describes much of the history of pitaya in the Iberian Peninsula and the difficulties related to its cultivation. A bibliographical survey was carried out on the culture of pitaya in the world, focusing on the edaphoclimatic requirements, and on the possibility of this becoming a consolidated crop in the Iberian Peninsula. The relatively low water requirement of pitaya makes this crop sustainable among crops that require irrigation. In addition, we provide a perspective for use and research of this emerging crop. There has been an exponential growth of scientific publications on pitaya in the last decade; however, much more needs to be researched to know how to increase productivity as well as the sensory quality of fruits in different regions. This sustainable crop is a good option to diversify fruit production in the Iberian Peninsula.

Research on the Current Status of Light Supplementation Technology for Dragon Fruit

“…For organic fertilizer, the growth of dragon fruit is best at 20 L Cova-1 cow manure. Trindad et al [9] conduct a survey and state that considering the impact of global climate change and natural resources, the lower water requirement and higher economic benefits of dragon fruit will attract people's attention, indicating that the promotion of dragon fruit cultivation is an unstoppable trend in the future.…”