Respuesta Productiva de Pitahaya (Hylocereus undatus) a la Aplicación de un Bioestimulante Algal

Juan Javier Carrera-Andrade; Rosa Ivanna  Campi-Liuba; Diego Gonzalo  Sánchez-Zorrilla; Braulio Jonnathan  Calixto-Gutiérrez; Marcelo Antonio Cedeño-Rosero

doi:10.70171/6p10b967

Authors

Juan Javier Carrera-Andrade Universidad Técnica Estatal de Quevedo Author https://orcid.org/0009-0008-2500-4573
Rosa Ivanna Campi-Liuba Universidad Técnica Estatal de Quevedo Author https://orcid.org/0009-0001-9808-1798
Diego Gonzalo Sánchez-Zorrilla Universidad Técnica Estatal de Quevedo Author https://orcid.org/0009-0008-2269-8442
Braulio Jonnathan Calixto-Gutiérrez Universidad Técnica Estatal de Quevedo Author https://orcid.org/0009-0006-8763-9932
Marcelo Antonio Cedeño-Rosero University of Guayaquil Author https://orcid.org/0009-0009-0901-2538

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.70171/6p10b967

Keywords:

biostimulants, pitahaya, productivity, yield, profitability

Abstract

Justification: Pitahaya cultivation in tropical regions of Ecuador faces productive constraints that require technical alternatives to improve agronomic performance in a sustainable manner. Objective: To evaluate the effect of the biostimulant Seaweed Extract on the growth, production, yield, and profitability of pitahaya cultivation. Methodology: The study was conducted under a Randomized Complete Block Design, with four treatments corresponding to three doses of the biostimulant Seaweed Extract (100, 200, and 300 mL/20 L of water) and an absolute control. Vegetative, reproductive, productive, and economic variables were evaluated. Results: The 300 mL/20 L dose showed the best agronomic performance, recording the highest values for number of shoots per cladode (7.00), reduced days to flowering (14 days), number of fruits (12.44), fruit length (26.8 cm), diameter (13.4 cm), fruit weight (447.96 g), and yield (417.13 kg/ha per harvest), with statistically significant differences in reproductive, productive, and yield variables. This treatment also achieved the highest economic return, with a benefit–cost ratio of 1.37. Conclusion: The application of Seaweed Extract at a dose of 300 mL/20 L proved to be an efficient alternative to increase productivity and profitability in pitahaya cultivation, contributing to more sustainable agricultural management under the evaluated conditions.

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