Fertilizer Improves Yield of Cactus Fruit

Effects of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization on fruit yield and quality of cactus pear Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.

https://www.pubhort.org/fruits/72/4/3/index.htm

M. Arba1,a , A. Falisse2,3, R. Choukr-Allah1 and M. Sindic4

1 Department of Horticulture, Hassan II Institute of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, Horticultural Complex of Agadir, Morocco

2 Crop Production Unit, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, Liège University, Belgium

3 Faculty of Agriculture, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj, Romania

4 Quality and Food Safety Laboratory, Gembloux Agro Bio Tech, Liège University, Belgium

What is already known on this subject?

Studies on mineral fertilization of cactus pear were carried out in some countries where cactus pear is cultivated. Several authors reported that mineral fertilization increased fruit yield, but some of them have indicated that fruit quality could be affected by fertilization.

What are the new findings?

Obtained results showed that nitrogen and phosphorus mineral fertilization improved fruit yield, mainly fruit size (weight and dimensions). Fruit quality was not significantly affected. Mineral fertilization also increased the emission of buds and of shoots.

What is the expected impact on horticulture?

Understanding the effects of nitrogen and phosphorus mineral fertilization on fruit yield and quality of cactus pear. The improvement of cactus pear managing practices, mainly the application of fertilizers, pruning and harvesting. The improvement of the socio-economic life of the farmers and the rural populations in the arid

SUMMARY

Introduction – In order to optimise the nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilization of cactus pear in arid regions, we decided to determine its effects on the yield and fruit quality as well as on the plant phenology.

Materials and methods – Five N-P dressings were compared on the spineless cv. Moussa in the Agadir area: 0–0, 0–80, 40–40, 60–0, and 60–80 (in kg N ha-1 – kg P2O5 ha-1) over two consecutive growing seasons (2011 and 2012). Yield components and physico-chemical characteristics of the fruit were recorded at harvest.

Results and discussion – Although in 2011 the applications of N and P had no effect on fruit yielding, in 2012 the dressings 60N or 80P alone increased the yield by +3.0 and 6.1 kg plant-1, respectively, compared with the control. Combining both N and P at the same rate resulted in a maximum yield of 14.9 kg plant-1. Fertilization had positive effects on flowering rates, fruit size and fruit number, and did not modify the content of pulp, the juice content, peel thickness, the juice dry matter, the pH, titratable acidity, total sugars and soluble solids. It also did not modify the dates of flowering and of ripening. Nitrogen dressings significantly increased the number of emitted buds and emitted shoots on one-year cladodes by four fold.

Conclusion – Relevant N-P fertilization significantly improved fruit yield, the number of fruits per plant and fruit size in particular. Long term and postharvest effects shall be further studied.

Résumé

Introduction – La fertilisation azotée (N) et phosphorique (P) du figuier de Barbarie a besoin d’être optimisée en zone aride. Cette étude vise à en évaluer les effets sur le rendement et la qualité des fruits et à en décrire les effets sur la phénologie de la plante.

Matériel et méthodes – Cinq fumures N-P ont été comparées pendant deux années sur la variété inerme ‘Moussa’ dans la région d’Agadir: 0–0, 0–80, 40–40, 60–0, et 60–80 (en kg N ha-1 – kg P2O5 ha-1). Les composantes du rendement et les caractères physico-chimiques des fruits ont été enregistrés à la récolte.

Résultats et discussion – En 2011, les différents niveaux de fertilisation n’ont pas eu d’effet sur le rendement alors qu’en 2012, l’interaction entre N et P était très significative. En comparaison avec le témoin, l’apport de 80P ou de 60N a augmenté le rendement de +3,0 et +6,1 kg plante-1, respectivement, et le traitement 60N + 80P de +14,9 kg plante-1. Les traitements fertilisants ont eu des effets positifs sur le nombre de fleurs et le nombre de fruits formés, ainsi que sur le calibre des fruits; en revanche, ils n’ont pas eu d’effet significatif sur la teneur en pulpe et en jus de fruits, l’épaisseur du tégument, la teneur en matière sèche du jus, le pH, l’acidité titrable, les sucres totaux et matières sèches solubles. Ils n’ont pas nettement modifié les dates de floraison et de maturation des plantes. Cependant, l’apport d’azote a augmenté le nombre de bourgeons émis par cladode et le nombre de pousses sur les cladodes d’un an, jusqu’à le multiplier par 4 environ.

Conclusion – Une fertilisation N-P appropriée permet d’améliorer de façon significative le rendement en fruits des cultures de figuier de Barbarie en condition aride, en particulier le nombre de fruits par plante et le calibre des fruits. Les effets dans la durée et en post-récolte doivent encore être étudiés.

My Comments. This is another study that demonstrates increased yield of cactus pear (aka beavertail cactus) fruits when fertilizer is applied. Water must be applied more carefully because of damage to the plants if watered too often. But this paper also addresses fruit quality to some degree. Sensory evaluation is not considered but fruit quality is measured by laboratory equipment rather than by people tasting it. Sensory evaluation is hard to judge using laboratory equipment.