Growing possibilities of pitaya (Hylocereus spp.) under protected cultivation in subtropical conditions

Abstract

Global climate change has recently increased interest in some tropical fruit species in the Mediterranean and Aegean regions of Türkiye. Among these tropical species, pitaya (dragon fruit) has gained popularity due to its tolerance to drought, ability to bear fruit one year after planting, suitability for soilless cultivation, and significant export potential. The objective of thise study is to investigate pitaya cultivation under protected cultivation in subtropical conditions. The research was conducted between 2020 and 2022 in the Manavgat district of Antalya on White Jaina and Red Jaina pitaya cultivars. The morphological parameters of the plants were evaluated as well as their physical properties and yield characteristics. The findings have revealed that the duration from flowering to harvest ranged between 44 and 45 days on average for both cultivars. The average fruit weight was measured as 264.60 g and 344.00 g for White Jaina and Red Jaina, respectively, and the difference was found to be statistically significant (P<0.05). Depending on the cultivar, the fruit circumference was measured as 20.58 cm and 21.99 cm, the fruit length as 13.07 cm and 12.22 cm, and the soluble solids content as 10.98% and 12.35%, respectively. By the end of the second year of the study, the yield per hectare was calculated as 1.74 tons ha⁻¹ for White Jaina and 1.65 tons ha⁻¹ for Red Jaina. The findings have indicated that both pitaya cultivars could be cultivated under protected cultivation conditions in Manavgat, which has a colder winter climate than the Alanya and Gazipaşa districts of Antalya.

Keywords

• Dragon fruit
• Adaptation
• Fruit parameters
• Yield
• Quality

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