Research on nursery plant cultivation in pitaya (Hylocereus spp.)

In recent years, the interest in the cultivation of tropical fruit species has increased in Turkey. In the adaptation studies with different tropical fruit species, pitaya has been shown as the most remarkable species in terms of producer and consumer. The most important limiting factor that can restrict the distribution of this fruit is the lack of true to type nursery plant. For these reasons, this study has been planned to clarify nursery production and production through cutting for successfully adapted varieties, Bloody Mary and Cosmic Charlie. The research consists of two steps; rooting the cuttings and growing the nursery plants. The effects of different treatments (control, 3000 IBA, 5000, 10000 and 15000 ppm bacteria) on rooting of cutting and different fertilizer applications (control, chemical, seaweed, amino acids from animals and earth worm fertilizer) on nursery plant development were searched on two pitaya varieties. Cuttings 15-25 cm in length were used and after rooting, the effects of applications on survival rate, rooting rate, number of primary roots, root length and root thickness were investigated. Rooted cuttings were transferred into a 10 liter pot containing peat-perlitepomza-earth catalyst in a ratio of 1-1-1-2. The effects of chemical, seaweed, animal amino acid and earthworm fertilizers on seedling quality parameters (number of shoots, duration of shoot length to the length of the cutting, flush dates) were investigated on nursery plant developments. While the application of 3000 ppm IBA was better for vitality and rooting rate, application of 15000 ppm bacteria was performed better on root quality parameters. In addition, it was found that root parameters were positively affected to increasing dose of bacterial treatment. It was determined for nursery plant development study that chemical fertilizers and animal amino acid applications were more effective on the number of shoots, duration of shoot length to the length of the cutting and flushing dates. The research suggested that 3000 ppm IBA and 15000 ppm bacteria applications were recommended for rooting of cutting and animal amino acids and chemical fertilizer applications were recommended for nursery plant development.