Phenotypic diversity of morphological traits of pitahaya (Hylocereus spp.) and its agronomic potential in the Amazonas region, Peru
2024
Santos Pelaez, Julio Cesar | Saravia Navarro, David | Cruz Delgado, Julio H. I. | Del Carpio Salas, Miguel Angel | Barboza, Elgar | Casanova Núñez Melgar, David Pavel
Pitahaya (Hylocereus spp.) is an economically significant cactus fruit in Peru, renowned for its rich nutritional profile and antioxidant properties while exhibiting wide biological diversity. This study aimed to morphologically characterize seven pitahaya accessions using qualitative and quantitative descriptors related to the cladodes, flowers, and fruits. Univariate and multivariate (FAMD, PCA, MCA, and clustering) analyses were employed to identify and classify the accessions based on their morphological traits. The analyses revealed three distinct groups: one consisting solely of AC.07; another with AC.02, AC.04, and AC.06; and a third including AC.01, AC.03, and AC.05. The first group exhibited superior characteristics, particularly in fruit traits such as the stigma lobe count (23.3), number of bracts (26.5 mm), and length of apical bracts (15.75 mm). The second group recorded the highest spine count (3.21), bract length (16.95 mm), and awn thickness (5.12 mm). The third group had the highest bract count (37) and an average locule number (23.65). These findings highlight the significant morphological diversity among the accessions, indicating the potential for classification and selection in pitahaya cultivation. The potential of AC.07 stands out in terms of its agronomic qualities, such as its fruit weight (451.93 g) and pulp weight (292.5 g), surpassing the other accessions.
Show more [+] Less [-]This research was funded by the project (Proyecto de Invercion) “Mejoramiento de los servicios de investigación y transferencia tecnológica agraria en cultivos frutícolas en los 24 departamentos del Perú” of the Ministry of Agrarian Development and Irrigation (MIDAGRI) of the Peruvian Government with grant number CUI 2532404.
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