Flower induction of red pitaya by foliar fertilizer spraying under Malaysian weather conditions
2014
Then, K.H.
Red pitaya (Hylocerus polyrhizus) is a non-seasonal perennial fruit crop that produces fruits all year round. However, it normally flowers only one to three rounds per month in Malaysian weather conditions. A study was carried out to improve the flowering of red pitaya by foliar fertilizer spraying. Four types of foliar fertilizers, such as Box-Flower® (1% v/v), Folar-K® (0.1% v/v), potassium nitrate (1% w/w) and mono-potassium phosphate (1% w/w) were used in this study. The fertilizers were sprayed on the branches and aerial roots in weekly interval. Total flower produced and yield was recorded after three months of treatments. The cumulative flowering records in the first year showed that only Box-Flower® was able to increase the total flowers by 20.8% as compared to untreated plants. Second year flowering records showed greater improvement by all the treatments and significantly increased the total flowers produced to 65.3% by Box-Flower®, 55.6% by potassium nitrate, 50.3% by Folar-K® and 43.6% by mono-potassium phosphate. Cumulative flowering records over two years showed Box-Flower®, potassium nitrate and Folar-K® sprayed were able to induce highest flowering by 38.0, 33.2 and 27.7% respectively, followed by mono-potassium phosphate treatment which induced 18.7% more flowers as compared to untreated plants.
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